Definition of Munchausen Syndrome - Research Paper Example

Munchausen Syndrome The Munchausen Syndrome is a disorder that is slowly becoming common in the contemporary society. Consequently, it is necessary to examine the definition of the syndrome, its symptoms, possible causes and famous cases. Other issues addressed in the paper include the definition of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP), symptoms of MSbP, possible causes, famous cases of MSbP and definition of "munchausen syndrome by internet". The Kaycee Nicole and other notable cases are also discussed based on their relationship with culture and the media. Munchausen Syndrome Definition of Munchausen syndrome Munchausen Syndrome is a disorder or a mental illness in which individuals consistently act as if they have a physical or mental disorder. However, they have induced the symptoms (Cleveland Clinic, 2014). However, victims who induce symptoms do not seek any substantial commercial gain, but attract sympathy and attention. Given their need for attention, it is fair to say that the disease is fairly portrayed by the media. Some individuals who suffer from Munchausen syndrome endure pain and very lengthy medical procedures to prove they are sick. Some people hurt themselves to produce more convincing symptoms like blood stains in the urine. Consequently, it is necessary to look at the possible causes of Munchausen Syndrome. Possible causes of Munchausen Syndrome The exact cause of Munchausen Syndrome is unknown. Like other mental ailments, it is cause by biological vulnerabilities, social interactions and AN individual’s general way of thinking. It appears that the disease is fairly portrayed in the society and media because the causes cover a wide spectrum. Many risk factors contribute to the syndrome including excessive trauma during childhood. The second cause is neglect from parents or people we feel should take up responsibility. The third cause is bodily cruelty such as battery or sexual abuse during childhood (Emedicine, 2014). Patients affected with Munchausen disorder demonstrate increased need for control and issues with self-esteem. Furthermore, they have a high probability of suffering from despair, nervousness, drug and substance abuse. Notably, many individuals who feign symptoms have common characteristics with individuals suffering from borderline personality disorder. Firstly, they are anti-social and have unbalanced relationships. Secondly, they have evidence of self-mutilation and have little or no regard for their safety. They also display willingness and ability to commit suicide (Emedicinhealth, 2014). Such individuals also demonstrate temperate habits. Besides looking at the causes, it is necessary to examine the symptoms. Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome Symptoms for Munchausen vary significantly. Consequently, the media and society have an opportunity to present it fairly without leaving possible cases out or involving persons not suffering from the syndrome. The symptoms include fainting and psychiatric symptoms like hallucinations. Others include dramatic medical history of a serious illness that demonstrates inconsistency of the disease. Secondly, patients may provide symptoms that fit a diagnosis perfectly or present claims that contradict diagnosis. For example, continuous complaints of vomiting and diarrhea are common, but individuals are not dehydrated. Thirdly, changing symptoms or symptoms worsening once treatment procedure commences is common. The tremendous enthusiasm and anxiety to undertake tests is a symptom. Another symptom is unwillingness to let medics contact relatives or seek professional advice from other doctors who handled the patients previously. After examining the symptoms, it is necessary to examine the cases of Munchausen Syndrome. Cases of Munchausen Syndrome The Munchausen mum is a case that demonstrates how individuals take advantage of the susceptible public. In this case, Leslie Wilfred lied to her family that the twins that she had been carrying had died. The grief stricken family conducted a funeral service to mourn the stillborn infants (Grush, 2013). A report by the authorities revealed that the woman had lied due to two medical conditions known as Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Although both conditions involve the fabrication of a lie, the latter involves the fabrication of medical conditions. In this case, the woman lied about the condition of her non-existing children’s death. The case above indicates that the society and its cultural dispensation fairly represent the syndrome. Firstly, close relations and friends accurately identified the woman’s case. Some of them visited the hospital where the purported twins died. Secondly, fair representation in culture and society is evident in the reporting process, especially after investigations had been done. Another case is a Washington woman who claimed to have suffered an acid attack. She did this in order to get attention from members of the public and other responsible persons. She almost appeared at Oprah’s show (Szalavitz, 2010). However, it was later discovered that she disfigured herself to get attention. Another woman living in New York claimed to be suffering from leukemia and solicited funds from the public. The public paid for her honeymoon before it was discovered that she lied. As a result, she lost public trust and her husband (Szalavitz, 2010). The case above indicates that the society and its cultural dispensation represent the syndrome fairly. The women who purported to have been attacked by acid got the attention of Oprah. She is a renowned personality representing the social and cultural direction of the society. After examining the cases, it is necessary to examine the Definition of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP). Definition of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) is also an illness that affects the mind. Factitious disorder by Proxy is a name that represents the disorder. It interferes with the normal functioning of the human mind (Cleveland Clinic, 2014). In addition, it is a form of child abuse because a mother or caregiver instills real symptoms of the illness to a child (emedicinehealth, 2014). Alternatively, the mother can intentionally make up fake symptoms of the illness to a child to make them appear sick. Sometimes the illness develops either from previous abuse when the person was a child or when the person fakes the syndrome. After understanding the definition, it is necessary to present the symptoms. Symptoms of MSbP Several signs and symptoms characterize Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The mother, who does extreme things to fake the disorder, causes some of the symptoms. Firstly, the mother of the child can intentionally withhold food so that the child generally grows weak. Consequently, it leads to body weakness and reduced weight in a patient. In addition, it may also lead to malnutrition and weakening of the body. Secondly, intentional addition of blood in the child’s urine or stool is a common symptom. The caretaker of the child can add traces of blood in the child’s urine or stool. This serves to show that the child’s urinary bladder and rectum are damaged. For instance, blood in laboratory results does not match the blood of the child. Thirdly, the caretaker of the child who is usually the mother may add drugs to the child. The drugs cause stomach discomforts and interfere with biological process. This causes nausea that makes the child throw up and experience diarrhea (US National Library of Medicine, 2014). Fourthly, the mother, with an intention to make the child fall sick may infect an intravenous line. The direct infusion of liquid substances into the veins affects the regular functioning of the body leading to fever. One may alter laboratory outcomes to show that the child tests positive. For instance, the signs and symptoms observed in the child may not match the diagnostic tests. The thermometers may be influenced to indicate that a child has fever. The caregiver of the patient may appear very concerned. The fake concern wins the doctors trust that eventually gives room for the caregiver to manipulate the results. The case shows that syndrome is accurately portrayed in the society as dangerous. The mother reports general worsening of the child’s body, but the clinical staff does not witness the situation. The child’s circumstances may get better in hospital but reappear when the child goes home. Consequently, it is necessary to examine the possible causes of MSbP. Possible causes of MSbP The exact cause of Munchausen syndrome by proxy is unclear. As a result, the attributed causes are majorly theoretical. However, researchers suppose that both psychosomatic and biological factors play a noteworthy role in the development of the illness (Healthline, 2012). A common factor leading to the disorder is stress. For instance, some factors such as marital problems and work-affiliated stress considerably trigger the incidence of the disorder. In addition, stress is associated with a previous traumatic event (Healthline, 2012). Secondly, history of neglect or abuse as a child and the loss of a parent at early stages are also contributing factors to the development of the disorder. The child develops a sense of rejection and unworthiness that consequently affect their normal functioning of the mind. MSbP can as well develop from major illnesses during childhood, a cause that is major. Famous cases of MSbP A 15-month-old child was presented to clinical officers in hospital. The mother reported presence of blood in the stool of the child. In addition, the child had a fever, with a temperature of 104 degrees that caused irritation to the child. After urinalysis, the blood work showed that the child was normal (CASA of Arizona, 2014). A tube was inserted to carry out a Meckel scan, an upper colonic endoscopy and barium enema. The tests showed the child was normal. The bleeding stopped after five days and the child was discharged. Follow-up visits showed that further bleeding took place and the child was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of another hospital (CASA of Arizona, 2014). Additional problems were not evident and the child was discharged. Later on, the child was admitted in another hospital with the same complaint. A staff member identified the child’s mother and confronted her. The mother acknowledged that she was cutting her legs and detaching the intravenous line of the child to infuse blood. The case was timely and eventually prevented surgery (CASA of Arizona, 2014). The case shows that MSbP syndrome is accurately portrayed in the society and culture as dangerous. The case illustrates that persons suffering from the syndrome perpetually disregard the well-being of children and focus on their needs. The case also shows that the society plays a crucial role in identifying instances of MSbP syndrome. In this case, a staff member played a crucial societal role of inquiry. The second case is evident in suspicions of MSbP that arose immediately after the death of a second child in a family after admission into hospital. A third child was admitted with symptoms of worsening mental status and vomiting (CASA of Arizona, 2014). A remark about the death of the family’s puppies due to coughing aroused attention on possible poisoning. The second child’s autopsy exposed presence or arsenic in the liver and gastric tract. 200 ml of the chemical were found in the liver (CASA of Arizona, 2014). However, the detection was made too late to deter the demise of the third child (CASA of Arizona, 2014). Definition of Munchausen syndrome by internet Munchausen syndrome by internet is a behavioral pattern that allows internet users to seek awareness by faking illnesses in online platforms such as message boards and chat rooms. This happens when medically fit persons feign recognized disorders in virtual environments such as support groups. Individuals intentionally disrupt groups to seek own contentment. Consequently, it is necessary to examine the cases of MSbP syndrome. Cases Kaycee Nicole was a fictional character created by Debbie Swenson. Kaycee was suffering from blood cancer and supposedly posted her progress on a website that was constantly updated, especially when she went into recession or became worse. It was eventually indicated that she died from complications associated with blood cancer. Debbie Swenson posted the death announcement on her Weblog. She owned and maintained all the web blogs concerning Kaycee (St. Petersburg Times, 2001). It is suspected that Swenson’s decision to kill Kaycee was informed by the fact that Van der Woning and others started making plans to visit her. She eventually claimed responsibility for creating Kaycee’s character, but never intended to hurt anyone. Kaycee case represents the effect of a liberalized media in tackling emerging societal issues. The blog represents the changes that have occurred in the society that allows people to track illnesses and patients. Consequently, Debbie used the internet, especially blogs to pass across falsehoods. The role of unregulated media in propagating the syndrome becomes known. The mainstream media including newspapers questioned the character of the victim, society and authorities. They also created awareness on the need to get help for people suffering from the syndrome. The second case presents a nine-month-old boy named MA admitted to Children’s Hospital frequently due to habitual life threatening apnea. MA experienced apneic at seven weeks of age. His mother applied ventiliation.MA retained spontaneous respiration after being hospitalized, treated and discharged with a home monitor. MA undertook seven more hospitalization due to ten similar events. Eight of such occasions required mouth-to-mouth ventilation. The events occurred when MA was with his mother only. Only two occurred in hospital. MA’s growth became sluggish as apnea persisted despite surgical procedures. The boy had to be given home nursing care. When nurses visited him with his mother in presence, MA would not eat (Boros & Brubaker, 1992). However, he ate when his mother was absent. Suspicions arose amongst nursing and medical staff that Mrs. A was liable for MA’s apnea. MA was moved to a hospital room equipped with covert audio-visual surveillance in order to confirm the suspicion. After six days, the video clearly showed how Mrs. A caused apnea by forcing him onto her chest, making him unconscious. MA eventually assumed a limp state and his heart rate fell. Mrs. A then returned the baby to bed and started ventilation after calling for help. Mrs. A became astounded after being shown how she smothered her child in the video. As a result, she was arrested (Boros & Brubaker, 1992). The media played an informative and educational role in this case. It was necessary to seek the opinion of the hospital staff and appreciate the use of covert means to uncover the issues. However, the role of the media in addressing the syndrome was barely effective. Conclusion After examining the various cases, it is evident that Munchausen is fairly portrayed in the society and culture. The medical fraternity has provided numerous symptoms and a wide spectrum of causes to identify the syndrome. In addition, the society plays an investigative and inquiry role as evident in the Munchausen mum case and the woman who claimed to have been attacked using acid. In addition, the role of the media is seen in Kaycee Nicole’s case and a nine-month-old boy named MA. References Boros, J. & Brubaker, L. (1992). Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: Case Accounts. Retrieved from http://earthops.org/munchausen/92jun006.html~ CASA of Arizona. (2014). Münchhausen Syndrome by Proxy. Retrieved from http://www.azcourts.gov/casa/Training/TrainingCourses/MSBPpg4.aspx Cleveland Clinic. (2014). Diseases & Conditions. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_An_Overview_of_Factitious_Disorders/hic_Munchausen_Syndrome/hic_Munchausen_Syndrom emedicine. (2014). Munchausen Syndrome Symptoms and Signs Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/page3_em.htm#munchausen_syndrome emedicinehealth. (2014). Munchausen Syndrome Overview. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/article_em.htm Grush, L. (2013). The Munchausen Mom: How one woman fabricated the pregnancy – and deaths – of imaginary twins. Fox News Retrieved From http://www.sptimes.com/News/060301/news_pf/Worldandnation/Kaycee_chronicles__li.shtml Healthline. (2012). Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Retrieve from http://www.healthline.com/health/munchausen-syndrome-by-proxy St. Petersburg Times. (2001). Kaycee chronicles: life, death, deception. Retrieved From http://www.sptimes.com/News/060301/news_pf/Worldandnation/Kaycee_chronicles__li.shtml Szalavitz, M. (2010). Phony Cancers and Self-Inflicted Acid Attacks: A National Outbreak of Munchausen’s? Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/22/phony-cancers-and-self-inflicted-acid-attacks-a-national-outbreak-of-munchausens/ NHS. (2014). Munchausens syndrome – Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Munchausens-syndrome/Pages/Treatment.aspx US National Library of Medicine. (2014). Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001555.htm Read More