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The making of a Munchausen
Author(s) -
Wimberley Terry
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1981.tb01440.x
Subject(s) - psychology , personality , context (archaeology) , developmental psychology , typology , social environment , child abuse , poison control , suicide prevention , social psychology , medicine , medical emergency , sociology , paleontology , social science , anthropology , biology
The author presents a developmental case history of a Munchausen patient in an effort to understand the evolution of the behavioural patterns associated with the syndrome. The case history documents a pattern of behaviour characterized by: frequent hospitalizations for diffuse ailments, beginning in infancy and persisting into adulthood; inadequate acquisition of appropriate social values and behaviours within the context of the nuclear family; persistent difficulties in adjusting to the demands of school, as expressed in poor academic performance, delinquent behaviour, and poor peer relationships; conflicted social role behaviour regarding work performance, criminal behaviour, and increased abuse of health care services; eventual severance of family ties and the adoption of a ‘hobo’ life‐style which utilizes hospitals for social support and personal definition. This case is compared with a similar study, recently published, and the affinities between the developmental histories and diagnostic criteria descriptive of ‘antisocial personality disorder’ are emphasized.