Full Description
In the classic edition of this outstanding book, originally published in 2004, Dr. Marc Feldman explores the bizarre cases of real patients who feign or even self-induce illness. Playing Sick? chronicles the devastating impact of illness hoaxes, including factitious disorders, Munchausen syndrome, Munchausen by proxy, and malingering. Based on years of research and clinical practice, Playing Sick? provides the clues that can help professionals, family members, friends, and patients themselves to recognize these diagnoses, avoid invasive procedures, and understand elusive motives. Dr. Feldman offers practical advice to get emotionally ill patients the help they need.
This classic edition is essential reading for physicians, social workers, and anyone interested in why and how individuals fabricate illness.
Contents
A new introduction by Dr. Stuart Eisendrath.
Foreword
Preface
Introduction by Dr. James Hamilton.
1. Dying for Attention
2. Disease or Deception? An Overview of the Issues
3. Pseudologia Fantastica: Lies Larger Than Life.
4. Invading the Body: The Enemy Within
5. Feverish Ploys
6. Out of Control: When the Ruse Becomes Real
7. False Accusations and the Girl Who Cried "Wolf"
8. Drawing Back the Curtains: The Motives Behind the Madness
9. Mental Masquerades
10. Munchausen by Proxy: When Factitious Disorder Becomes Abuse
11. Munchausen by Proxy II: After Detection
12. Cyber-Deception: Virtual Factitious Disorder and Munchausen by Internet
13. People Who Care: The Casualties of Deception
14. Conscience, Ethics, and the Law
15. Detection and Diagnosis
16. Healing: Intervention and Treatment
