I.Primary Diagnosis—Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy. I Propose
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I. Primary Diagnosis—Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
I propose Donna Roberts be diagnosed with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). The criteria for MSP, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-5), include: falsification of “psychological or physical signs or symptoms or causing injury or disease in another person with the intention to deceive, presenting another person to others as sick, injured, or having problems functioning, and continuation of deception even without receiving any benefit or reward” (“Tests and Diagnosis,” 2014). MSP often occurs in mothers who create or exaggerate their child’s symptoms by ways of falsifying medical records, altering diagnostic tests, or physically inducing the…show more content… At present, no diagnosis has been determined and past diagnoses were ruled out for not accounting for her various symptoms.
b. Caretakers’ warning signs
Caretakers with MSP tend to have an attention-seeking behavior and strive to appear self-sacrificing and devoted to their child (Pietrangelo, 2016). Donna, throughout the case report, enjoyed displaying her knowledge on Mandy’s various health problems and the mass amount of medications she was taking. Donna stressed the fact that she quit her job as a nurse’s aid to care for Mandy full-time since she is the only one to understand her daughter’s health condition. Furthermore, Donna may be using Mandy’s alleged health problems as a way to get her husbands attention. Donna stated that Jim and her “haven’t had anytime together since Mandy was born” since he is working 60-80 hours per week. Throughout the case report, Jim expressed his gratitude for Donna and her willingness to care for Mandy. Donna may see Mandy as the only method of obtaining this praise/attention from her husband.
c. Caretakers’ past history
Theorists have proposed that past abuse, physically and/or sexually, can play a role in the development of MSP in individuals. Donna reported having a traumatic upbringing: her father sexually abused her at a young age. Individuals with MSP may create an illness within their child because they grew up believing “being sick was a way to get love” from their family members (Lyness, 2015).