Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome affects many people today. This is a syndrome that causes a person to harm or make him or herself sick to receive attention from others. This type of syndrome is widely known more for women who tend to do this to their children. A relatively uncommon condition, it involves the exaggeration or fabrication of illnesses or symptoms by a caregiver. This has become one of the most harmful forms of child abuse. Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome was named after Baron von Munchausen, who was an eighteenth-century German dignitary. He was known for telling outlandish stories.

Mothers are known to do this to their own children. They deliberately make them sick or try to convince others that the child is sick. The parent may mislead others into thinking the child is sick by lying and reporting fictitious illnesses. Often times, the parent will induce the symptoms by any means necessary. In some cases they induce these symptoms of illnesses by medications or giving them household cleaners. They tend to do whatever it takes to make their child sick.

Often the parent is looked at as being very caring and loving. Because of this, no one suspects any wrongdoing of the parent. The parent or caregiver can usually fool or manipulate the doctor, which is a perplexing aspect of this syndrome. Most often, the perpetrator is familiar with the medical profession and is very good at fooling doctors. Many professionals and health care providers tend to overlook this syndrome because they do not want to believe that a parent can cause actual harm to their child.

Preschool children are the ones who are subject to Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome. There have been reported cases in children who were 16 years of age. There were just as many boys, as girls, whom this syndrome affected. However, 98% of the caregivers or parents doing this to their children, turned out to be female.

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome can be hard to diagnose, but there are signs to look for. One sign is that of a child who has had multiple medical problems and have not responded to treatment. A second sign is that when a child is tested physically and in a laboratory, the findings are highly unusual, or they do not correspond with the child's medical history. Some of these findings may be physically or clinically impossible. Also, if these short-term symptoms stop when the perpetrator isn't around, this could be another sign that the child may be suffering from Munchausen by Proxy. If a parent or caregiver doesn't seem reassured that their child has no medical problems and continues to believe that their child is ill, this is another common sign.

The causes of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome have been linked to parents or caregivers who were abused physically and sexually as children. Some may have come from families where being sick was a way to get love and attention. The parent or caregiver's own personal needs overcome that of the child. They then lack the ability to see the child as a person with feelings and rights. Others seem to think it is a parent or caregiver's cry for help. Some may be suffering from anxiety and depression, which then brings on Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome.

It is important that we protect innocent children. If you know someone that may be harming a child in this way, you need to report it. Have that child taken out of the home and investigated. This syndrome is a form of child abuse and needs to be taken seriously. Every child should have the peace of mind in knowing that they are being taken care of properly.