Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Münchausen syndrome by proxy

Münchausen syndrome is related to Münchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP/MSP), which refers to the abuse of another being, typically a child, in order to seek attention or sympathy for the abuser.


source: http://mkg4583.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/parental-alienation-canada-mothers-commit-vast-majority-of-parental-murders-of-children/


 Münchausen syndrome by proxy has been documented in the parent or guardian of a child. The adult ensures that his or her child will experience some medical affliction, therefore compelling the child to suffer treatment for a significant portion of their youth in hospitals. 
source: http://10sabrina.edublogs.org/files/2010/10/Munchausen-by-Proxy-Web-1ckjocx.jpg


Furthermore, a disease may actually be initiated in the child by the parent or guardian. This condition is considered distinct from Münchausen syndrome. In fact, there is growing consensus in the pediatric community that this disorder should be renamed "medical abuse" to highlight the real harm caused by the deception and to make it less likely that a perpetrator can use a psychiatric defense when real harm is done.
 Parents who perpetrate this abuse are often affected by concomitant psychiatric problems like depressionspouse abusepsychopathy, or psychosis. In rare cases, multiple children in one family may be affected either directly as victims or as witnesses who are threatened to keep them silent.

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