Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Data found on Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy was found to be congruent among most researchers. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is one of the most complicated forms of child abuse due to deceit. If MSPB is left untreated, the cycle of abuse will continue from childhood into adult perpetrators. MSBP has been discovered in males, females, and health-care workers.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy was described almost thirty years ago by Roy Meadow. He described Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy as a psychological disorder in which a person intentionally inflicts harm or exaggerates an illness in others in order to seek treatment (Schreier 2002).
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Data found onMunchausen Syndrome by Proxy was found to be congruent amongst most researchers. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is one of the most complicated forms of child abuse due to deceit. If MSPB is left untreated, the cycle of abuse will continue from childhood into adult perpetrators. MSBP has been discovered in males, females, and health-care workers.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy was described almost thirty years ago by Roy Meadow. He described Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy as a psychological disorder in which a person intentionally inflicts harm or exaggerates an illness in others in order to seek treatment (Schreier 2002). Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy has also been described as fabricating illnesses or intentional inducing illnesses to a child by a parental figure to seek medical attention for them self or the child (Terry 2004).
MSBP was added in 1994 to the DSM-IV under fictitious disorders and is described as a personality disorder with the intent to cause harm in others in order to seek treatment and gain attention from health care professionals (Abdulhamid 2006). Researchers have found that the average age of MSBP victims is between one and one-half years of age and six years. This age group is typical because the risk of the child fighting back is minimal (Smith-Alnimer 2003).
Health Care Professionals as MSBP Perpetrators
An interesting fact came to light while doing initial research was that members of the health care system are more likely to get away with abusing children by fabricating illnesses by under medicating, or over medicating the child. Many times ventilator settings get changed and IV tubes get tapered with. This happens because of the unlikelihood that they would be accused of the abuse due to their role as a health care professional or the established relationship the perpetrator has with medical staff (Terry 2004).
More research demonstrates concurrence by claiming that although perpetrators have knowledge about health care procedures, their medical knowledge is incomplete. Many times the perpetrator is left alone in the patient’s room, when the doctors and nurses return there are more complaint’s about observing the patient having fits or seems in distress (Fulton 2000).
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Karen N | Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
Sounds like a really scary disorder.
goodselfme | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your knowledgeable write. Most informative.
eddiego65 | Dec 10, 2008 | Reply
Seems like a very intriguing form of disorder. Great informative write!
Michele Cameron Drew | Jan 12, 2009 | Reply
Great article, Chris. Sad things like this exist.
-M
Karen Gross | Feb 5, 2009 | Reply
Very well presented. Your style is very reader friendly and informative.
I have only heard of this disorder from an episode of ER a couple of years ago. I didn’t realize that it was so widespread in the real world. What I found most frightening is that healthcare workers could abuse children in their care by over or under medicating a child. Very scary!
jess | Apr 1, 2009 | Reply
i strongly suspect MSBP in one of my friends who has a 2 year old and another one due anyday now. Her 2 yr old is constantly in and out of hospital for reasons the doctors say they cant fix to go home like colds and bumbs on the knees. when she goes to the hospital it seems like she gets something out of calling an ambulance and being in the emergency room. when her child is ill she seems to ring everyone in the family and some select friends such as myself to tell them and seems to think its extremly important to tell everyone. she still breast feeds her 2 year old and while the 2 year old doesnt want to is slightly forced to feed. i have known this girl sice we were little girls and she has always been an attention seeker but not to this extent, i am really worried about the child and because she is a single parent noone else knows what she is doing alone in her home with the child, it scares me. am i just reading things wrong or should i be worried and if so what should i do?
Chris Stonecipher | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Jess,
If you have these concerns, you need to call Child Protective Services. It is not your duty to determine if it is really happening only CPS duty. This is just my opinion, but I think breast feeding a two year old when the child doesn’t want to is wrong. (I have never heard of breast feeding a two year old). If CPS finds no fault than atleast your conscience will be clear that you did something about it.
Chris
Mystical Whitewolf | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Take it from a mother who took her kids to the hospital and doctors, We do know more about the treatment of our sick kids than the doctors. Sad but very true. We care enough to research all of our childs options. Not just the latest drug the drug companies are pushing that month.
Great article.
The Quail | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Sounds like a really scary disorder.
Kristie Leong MD | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
You presented this beautifully. You’re right. It’s a difficult disease to treat.
Chris Stonecipher | Dec 24, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Kristie for your comment. Even though it is a scary disorder, I found it quite fascinating while researching it in school.
Debra. | Feb 23, 2010 | Reply
Excellent article, Chris! Such a horrifying disorder.
thestickman | Feb 23, 2010 | Reply
I first heard about this from an HBO special series about Forensic Pathology. Terrifying disorder!
Glynis Smy | Feb 24, 2010 | Reply
I have dealt with a couple of patients with this disorder. It is a sad situation to be in, especially for the child.
ronthoughts | Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
Job well done my friend. Thumbs Up! A Note for note article from a well concerned person. Cheers!
ZuzannaM | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
Excellent and educational article.
I was not aware of such a disorder and the consequences it may cause in human behavior. All makes sense when I look into your explanatory post!
Thank you,
Zuzanna