mental health disorders
Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self
Diagnosis
A doctor's evaluation Doctors first check for physical and mental health disorders by taking a thorough medical history, doing a thorough physical examination, and doing tests. Most of the time, the person's description of symptoms is convincing, sometimes misleading doctors. However, doctors may suspect the disorder based on the following: The medical history is dramatic but inconsistent. Treatment worsens rather than relieves symptoms. After test results come back negative or after they are treated for one group of symptoms, people develop different symptoms or go to another hospital for care. People have an extensive knowledge of medical practice. People are willing or eager to have diagnostic tests and surgical procedures. They have a history of frequent visits to many different doctors and hospitals. They resist letting doctors talk to family members and to doctors who have treated them in the past. The diagnosis of factitious disorders imposed on self is made when all of the following are confirmed: Other disorders are ruled out. Doctors observe or discover evidence of exaggeration, faking, falsification, self-induced production of symptoms, or alterations in the medical history. The person has no obvious external incentives for faking or exaggerating symptoms. Doctors may refer the person to a psychiatrist or other mental health practitioner. If the disorder is diagnosed early, risky invasive testing, surgical procedures, and unnecessary treatments can be avoided. 