Munchausen's Syndrome--When People Make Themselves Sick

QUESTION: I have an aunt who winds up in the hospital three or four times a
year. She complains of chest pains, abdominal pains or accidentally swallows
a poisonous cleaning fluid. I don't think she's suicidal, because she always
manages to get herself to the hospital. I've been told there's a mental
disorder where people sabotage themselves or somehow manage to get into
hospitals, but I don't known what it's called or why people like my aunt would
even want to go to the hospital. Can you explain?
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ANSWER: What you've described sounds like a classic case of a disorder called
Munchausen's Syndrome. (It's named after the Baron von Munchausen, who wrote
incredible tales about travel and adventure, all of which were totally
fiction.) Those who have it either make up illnesses and complaints to get
them into hospitals or intentionally make themselves sick so that they will
need to enter the hospital. The symptoms those with Munchausen's Syndrome
often complain of are gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiac symptoms, especially
chest pains, shortness of breath, kidney pain, insulin induced hypoglycemia
and self-inflicted wounds or ailments.
Munchausen's Syndrome patients often have unstable home lives. Many were
orphaned or had one parent die when they were very young. Those afflicted
were usually hospitalized for an illness early in life and experienced the
hospital as a warm, caring environment. They seem to want to repeat the
experience of entering what seems to be a nurturing place.
Many Munchausen's victims are schizophrenics, are impulsive, and exhibit
self-damaging behavior. They have unstable relationships, and often express
inappropriate anger and intolerance. It's very difficult to treat patients
with this problem because they do not accept treatment.
If you have a desire to help your aunt, you should confront her
cautiously and offer help. However, you should know that when doctors tell
patients they may be victims of this unusual syndrome, the patients often
storm angrily out of the doctor's office.