What is Factitious Disorder?

Factitious disorder is a mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick, or by self-injury. The factitious disorder can also happen when a person falsely presents another individual, such as a family member, as being ill, injured, or impaired.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self

A diagnosis of factitious disorder “imposed on self” is based on:

• Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or purposely becoming ill, as an act of deception.
• The individual presents himself or herself to others as ill, impaired, or injured.
• The deceptive behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.
• The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another

A diagnosis of factitious disorder “imposed on another” is based on:

• Falsification of another person’s injury or disease, including physical or psychological symptoms, through deception.
• The individual presents another person to others as ill, impaired, or injured.
• The deceptive behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.
• The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder.