by Dee Schneider

Created on: September 27, 2008

To explain Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS) , lets first explore a brief explanation of Munchausen Syndrome.
A person suffering from Muchausen, which is a psychological disorder, is similar to what we would typically describe as a hypochondriac, however - there are is an important difference. Unlike a hypochondriac, someone suffering Munchausen's will not just "pretend" to be ill for the purpose of gaining attention and sympathy, but will indeed make themselves ill. This may be by purposefully inflicting self harm and injury, or by consuming poisons to cause sickness.

Munchausen by proxy, is when a carer, (typically in over 95% of cases the mother), is the one vying for attention. She will gain cudos by tending to her perpetually sick child.
There is a huge payoff in the belief that she is seen by others as a matyr. She is sustained by a sense of reward for her diligence and care.
There is another school of thought that believes the mother is also rewarded by the very act of deception. By decieving those seen as smarter than her, ie: doctors, she also gains a sense of merit and self worth.

In many cases, the mother has been found to have some sort of medical training, for instance as a nurse or a medical aide. She will often know what drugs and poisons to administer in order to mimic illness, and has familiarity with medical surrounds, terms, and diagnosis.
She thrives in the medical atmosphere of a hospital, and is convincing in her description of symptoms.

It is suspected that the perpetrators of Munchausen by proxy, were themselves the victims of abuse. Often the father of the victim is distant or absent.

Diagnosis can be very difficult, but some symptoms include:
* Many medical issues that don't have an expalanation
* Symptoms that stop when the suspected parent is not present
* A parent who seems to be excited by the medical process

MBPS, whilst not very common, represents one of the most devestating forms of abuse.
The perpetrator often goes undetected, as the very payoff for their crime (A facade of a loving and loyal carer) is the very attribute that continues to protect them, it is not often that one would suspect a primary carer (especially a mother) of being the root cause for illness.
When the perpetrator is confronted, they inevitably deny the accusations, this makes treatment very difficult and not likely - there has to be an acknowledment and an acceptance of responsibility before treatment is likely to be successful.
Outcomes for victims can, and often do include Psychological trauma, becoming an offender themselves, death.

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