Factitious Disorder

Patient's with this mental disorder are so eager to assume the role of a sick person that they intentionally feign or produce symptoms. Sub classification is according to whether the symptoms are predominately psychological, physical or combined.

Diagnostic criteria for Factitious Disorder

A. Intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological signs or symptoms. 

B. The motivation for the behavior is to assume the sick role. 

C. External incentives for the behavior (such as economic gain, avoiding legal responsibility, or improving physical well-being, as in Malingering) are absent. 

Code based on type: 

300.16 With Predominantly Psychological Signs and Symptoms: if psychological signs and symptoms predominate in the clinical presentation 
300.19 With Predominantly Physical Signs and Symptoms: if physical signs and symptoms predominate in the clinical presentation 
300.19 With Combined Psychological and Physical Signs and Symptoms: if both psychological and physical signs and symptoms are present but neither predominates in the clinical presentation

Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association

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