This episode of CRACKCast covers Rosen' 9th edition, Chapter 104, Factitious Disorders and Malingering.

Episode Overview

• Two categories of psychiatric illness are covered in this episode
  • Factitious Disorder
  • Malingering
• Individuals suffering from factitious disorders fabricate symptoms of illness to fulfill the sick role (primary gain)
• Individuals suffering from malingering fabricate symptoms of illness to obtain something (secondary gain)
• Despite the fact that we may suspect either factitious disorder or malingering, we must strive to objectively assess the patient for concrete evidence of disease
• If no objective evidence of disease exists in a patient, do not investigate with needless and/or harmful diagnostic modalities
  • Refer back to their primary care physician
• If you are suspecting factitious disorder by proxy, the safety of your patient should always be your first priority

Core Questions

• What is a factitious disorder and what is malingering?
• List the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS)
• List the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA)
• List four characteristics of malingering