Psychologists Off the Clock

314. Munchausen by Proxy with Andrea Dunlop and Marc Feldman


Listen Later

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
      • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn

        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6

        4.6

        302 ratings


        More shows like Psychologists Off the Clock

        View all
        The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

        The Trauma Therapist

        533 Listeners

        Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

        Therapy Chat

        667 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,546 Listeners

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

        2,394 Listeners

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

        599 Listeners

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast

        1,371 Listeners

        The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

        The Couples Therapist Couch

        256 Listeners

        Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

        Attachment Theory in Action

        156 Listeners

        The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy by Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

        The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

        241 Listeners

        Notice That by Jen Savage, Melissa Benintendi, and Bridger Falkenstien

        Notice That

        307 Listeners

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown by Vox Media Podcast Network

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

        23,612 Listeners

        Complex Trauma Recovery by Kina Penelope

        Complex Trauma Recovery

        174 Listeners

        Good Inside with Dr. Becky by Dr. Becky Kennedy

        Good Inside with Dr. Becky

        4,328 Listeners

        We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

        We Can Do Hard Things

        41,217 Listeners

        Evidence-Based: A New Harbinger Psychology Podcast by New Harbinger Publications

        Evidence-Based: A New Harbinger Psychology Podcast

        46 Listeners