Generality
Münchausen syndrome by proxy is a rare psychiatric and behavioral disease, as a result of which the affected subjects cause symptoms (or simply invent them) of the people dependent on their treatments; all for the sole purpose of attracting attention.
At present, the precise causes of Münchausen syndrome by proxy are unclear; the experts, however, attribute the onset of the disease in question to three possible circumstances: a particularly troubled childhood, the stress deriving from particular sentimental situations or the presence of some personality disorder.
The symptoms of Münchausen syndrome by proxy consist of abnormal behaviors, which affect more or less markedly the state of health of those who depend on the patient (the so-called "victim" of those who suffer from Münchausen syndrome by proxy).
Diagnosing Münchausen syndrome by proxy is not easy at all and requires a lot of investigation by doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
Treatment is mainly based on cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy.
