How to deal with someone with munchausen syndrome

Munchausen syndrome is a psychological condition where someone pretends to be ill or deliberately produces symptoms of illness in themselves.

Their main intention is to assume the "sick role" so that people care for them and they are the centre of attention.

Any practical benefit in pretending to be sick – for example, claiming incapacity benefit – is not the reason for their behaviour.

Munchausen syndrome is named after a German aristocrat, Baron Munchausen, who became famous for telling wild, unbelievable tales about his exploits.

Types of behaviour

People with Munchausen syndrome can behave in a number of different ways, including:

• pretending to have psychological symptoms – for example, claiming to hear voices or claiming to see things that are not really there
• pretending to have physical symptoms – for example, claiming to have chest pain or a stomach ache
• actively trying to get ill – such as deliberately infecting a wound by rubbing dirt into it

Some people with Munchausen syndrome may spend years travelling from hospital to hos

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