Factitious Disorder is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick, or by self-injury. A key feature is the absence of obvious external rewards (like financial gain). The behavior is also present even when no one is observing. This condition requires careful and compassionate clinical intervention.

Common Symptoms or Things to Look Out For:

• Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, associated with identified deception.
• The individual presents himself or herself to others as ill, impaired, or injured.
• The deceptive behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external incentives.
• The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder.
• Can also be “Imposed on Another,” where an individual falsifies illness in another person (child, adult, or pet).