Full Description
Taken from bizarre cases of real patients, Playing Sick? is the first book to chronicle the devastating impact of phony illnesses--factitious disorders and Munchausen syndrome--on patients and caregivers alike. Based on years of research and clinical practice, Playing Sick? provides the clues that can help practitioners and family members recognize these disorders, avoid invasive procedures, and sort out the motives that drive people to hurt themselves and deceive others. With insight and years of hands-on experience, Feldman shows how to get these emotionally ill patients the psychiatric help they need.
Contents
Gregory, Forewod. Preface. Acknowledgements. Hamilton, Introduction. Dying for Attention. Disease or Deception? An Overview of the Issues. Pseudologia Fantastica: Lies Larger Than Life. Invading the Body: The Enemy Within. Feverish Ploys. Out of Control: When the Ruse Becomes Real. False Accusations and the Girl Who Cried "Wolf". Drawing Back the Curtains: The Motives Behind the Madness. Mental Masquerades. Munchausen by Proxy: When Factitious Disorder Becomes Abuse. Munchausen by Proxy II: After Detection. Cyber-Deception: Virtual Factitious Disorder and Munchausen by Internet. People Who Care: The Casualties of Deception. Conscience, Ethics, and the Law. Detection and Diagnosis. Healing: Intervention and Treatment. Selected Readings. Selected Websites. Index.