FABRICATED OR INDUCED ILLNESS

Overview and Facts

Fabricated or induced illness (FII) is a rare type of child abuse. It occurs when a guardian or caregiver exaggerates or purposely develops disease symptoms in their child. The guardian or caregiver attempts to persuade physicians that the kid is unwell or that their health is worse than it is. They may not aim to mislead physicians, but their actions will likely harm the kid. For example, the kid may be subjected to unneeded therapy, be fooled into believing they are unwell or have their study disturbed.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Fabricated or induced illness (FII) refers to various symptoms and behaviors that occur when parents or caregivers seek medical help for their children. This might range from exaggerating or faking symptoms to causing the child to become ill on purpose. In FII, a parent or career may engage in the following behaviors:

  • Convinces healthcare providers that their child is sick when they are not.
  • Exaggerates or distorts about the symptoms of their child.
  • Manipulates test findings to make it appear as if the child is sick.
  • They misdescribe the signs to be diagnosed.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

A caregiver must admit to the abuse and agree to psychiatric therapy. However, because people with a fabricated or induced illness are prone to lying, diagnosing the disease can be challenging. Furthermore, when doctors and family members are focused on a sick or injured kid, it’s easy for them to ignore the likelihood of induced illness.

TREATMENT

Both the child and the adult must be involved in fabricated or induced illness treatment. Participation in treatment by the entire family may also be beneficial. Once it is established that a child is being mistreated, the kid must be safeguarded. This usually entails notifying Child Protective Services and having all of the abuser’s children removed from his or her custody. Any physical illness or trauma that has already occurred must be addressed appropriately. Psychological counseling may be required as well.

The individual accused of child abuse will almost certainly face criminal prosecution in order to treat the caregiver. Psychiatric counseling will be recommended if fabricated or induced infection is diagnosed. However, if the caregiver refuses to admit that there is an issue, treatment may be challenging.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]