Factitious Disorder

Factitious Disorder (From the DSM-IV-TR)

Introduction

The essential feature of Factitious Disorder is the intentional production of physical or psychological signs or symptoms (Criterion A). The presentation may include fabrication of subjective complaints (e.g., complaints of acute abdominal pain in the absence of any such pain), falsification of objective signs (e.g., manipulating a thermometer to create the illusion of fever), self-inflicted conditions (e.g., the production of abscesses by injection of saliva into the skin), exaggeration or exacerbation of preexisting general medical conditions (e.g., feigning of a grand mal seizure by an individual with a previous history of seizure disorder), or any combination or variation of these. The motivation for the behavior is to assume the sick role (Criterion B). External incentives for the behavior (e.g., economic gain, avoiding legal responsibility, or improving physical well-being, as in Malingering) are absent (Criterion C).

Individuals with Factitious Disorder usually present their history with dramatic flair, but are extremely vague and inconsistent when questioned in greater detail. They may engage in pathological lying, in a manner that is intriguing to the listener, about any aspect of their history or symptoms (i.e., pseudologia fantastica). They often have extensive knowledge of medical terminology and hospital routines. Complaints of pain and requests for analgesics are very common. After an extensive workup of their initial chief complaints has proved negative, they often complain of other physical or psychological problems and produce more factitious symptoms. Individuals with this disorder may eagerly undergo multiple invasive procedures and operations. While in the hospital, they usually have few visitors. Eventually, a point may be reached at which the factitious nature of the individual's symptoms is revealed (e.g., the person is recognized by someone who encountered the patient during a previous admission; other hospitals confirm multiple prior hospitalizations for factitious symptomatology). When confronted with evidence that their symptoms are factitious, individuals with this disorder usually deny the allegations or rapidly discharge themselves against medical advice. Sometimes, they will be admitted to another hospital soon after. Their repeated hospitalizations may take them to numerous cities, states, and countries.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I find this disorder really fascinating, mostly because I don't know how you would actually determine that someone's pain is not real. I find it very difficult to even explain my pain. When I went to the doctor for my foot, they asked me to rank my pain on a scale of 1-10, but that obviously had a physical sign of pain. They ask this same question when you go to psychologist, you rate your psychological pain on a scale. But how do you tell someone that they aren't really feeling a 9, but instead a 2?

You are disordered because you do not have a disorder, in a very simplistic way of explaining it. Catch-22, eh?

I also find it slightly humorous. What's worse than having a disorder? Having a factitious disorder. Also, good thing we have the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, otherwise everyone would have this disorder. In fact, I'm going to say it. You all have factitious disorder. See, humorous.

I dunno, what do you people think about this? Lemme know, please.

Content

I was walking home this morning after I took one of my midterms and I saw a school-bus. I kind of just instinctively watch school buses as they pass by - there's always the possibility that I could recognize one of the faces on the bus, and this morning, I did! I saw the little girl's face go into shock with recognition (I could see her mouth 'Ashley!'), and then excitement, as she smiled and began to wildy wave at me. It made me very happy about what I do, and I realized that I am going to miss these children immensely when I go back to Southern California. A few weekends ago, on my birthday, I was walking down Telegraph when I saw a child that was around the right height and had the head shape of a child that I knew. Sure enough, it was him! He was so sweet...he excitedly exclaimed, 'Ashley!' and then gave me a big hug. I truly love that feeling. A child that I'm not even related to is that excited to see me, and gives me a hug. I had to work really hard to be accepted by the children that I work with, and it was worth every single ounce of frustration and tears.

Haven't fallen on my face in awhile.

I was enjoying the beautiful day with my wonderful smoothie from Jamba Juice. Just staring up at the Campanile, the bust of Lincoln at the base, the blue sky behind it, when I trip on the stairs and totally fall on my face. Somehow, I didn't spill my smoothie. I laughed. Looked around. Got back up and sat down on a bench so that I could stare at the Campanile and the sky in safety.

The end. I am silly.

The Ideal Western Trip

The only additions I would want to make would be to add in Tahoe, which is in the Western corner of Nevada, kinda close to Carson city, I believe. Also, I would have to add in Yellowstone, which is in the upper green corner of Wyoming. There's a couple places on this map that are only important if I can find someone to come with me who wants to go snowboarding, because otherwise I don't have much interest in going to Utah (unless if we went to one of the awesome parks there), or Tahoe, or Colorado (which I put as Denver because I knew it was in Colorado...). All the other places are places that I really want to see. If someone wants to go with me there are several additions that can be made as well. I'd love to go into Canada if someone were interested. I'll be incredibly indebted to whoever (whomever, whatever...) wants to come with me, so of course I'd be willing to go wherever they want to go.

If you'll notice it's in one big circle, for the most part... Also, I was just kinda thinking that this would be a car roadtrip, however, if someone wants to go by train I'd be down for that too...I'm just not that certain of the train systems, but I think it'd be worthwhile to see all the scenery. Train would be more complicated if we throw snowboarding into the mix, though. As far as the car goes...that's a little dependent on whether or not I get a new car next year, or if someone has a reliable car.

So...yeah...someone come with me!! Please? Don't forget...I'll do whatever you want if you come with me!!