Psychologists Off the Clock

314. Munchausen by Proxy with Andrea Dunlop and Marc Feldman

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Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS) is a psychological disorder that you may have heard whispers about in the media in which a person, usually a parent, fakes or induces a medical condition in another person to gain attention. In most cases, it is the mother of a child who pretends or even causes medical symptoms the child does not actually have.


To shed light on this highly complex topic, we brought in the expertise of Andrea Dunlop, founder of Munchausen Support, and Marc Feldman, a renowned specialist in factitious disorder, Munchausen syndrome, and Munchausen by proxy. Through personal experiences, real-life cases, and scientific research, they educate us on the underlying motivations behind this behavior, including the desire for attention and emotional gratification.


The conversation also touches on the range of behaviors associated with Munchausen by Proxy, from subtle forms of overmedicalization to extreme cases involving active induction of illness. Andrea and Marc stress the need to acknowledge and address these behaviors, as well as provide support and resources for survivors and their families. Find out how we can support people affected by these complex disorders by tuning in.


Listen and Learn:
  • Andrea shares her personal experience with the topic after her sister was investigated for medical child abuse
  • The distinctions between Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy 
  • Are Munchausen syndrome patients, or Munchausen by proxy perpetrators, deliberately deceitful?
  • What kind of satisfaction does Munchausen syndrome cause to motivate such pathological behavior?
  • Can factitious disorder behaviors occur in both real life and online?
  • How do we recognize the signs of Munchausen syndrome, or Munchausen by proxy?
  • Does Munchausen behavior always lead someone to be the perpetrator?
  • Where to find resources and information about Munchausen
  • What we can do to prevent abuse inflicted by Munchausen by proxy 
  • Are we bad at recognizing female violence? 
  • Is rehabilitation possible?


    • Resources: 
    • Website for Dr. Marc Feldman 
    • Websites for Andrea Dunlop’s writing and Munchausen by Proxy advocacy work with resources
    • Follow Andrea on Instagram
    • Nobody Should Believe Me Podcast hosted and created by Andrea Dunlop 
    • The Spectrum of Factitious Disorders and Dying to Be Ill: True Stories of Medical Deception by Marc Feldman 
    • Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The Hinterland of Child Abuse an article by Roy Meadow 
    • APSAC: American Professional Society Abuse Children
    • Munchausen By Proxy Warning Signs
    • Psychological Treatment of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another/Munchausen by Proxy Abuse by Mary J. Sanders and Brenda Bursch


      Related Episodes: 
      • 98. Narcissism with Avigail Lev and Robyn Walser
      • 292. Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers with Stephanie Kriesberg 
      • 263. Relationships with Emotionally Immature People with Lindsay Gibson

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