Psychosomatics 21: 329-336, 1980
Copyright
© 1980 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
Munchausen's syndrome revisited
THEODORE A. STERN M.D.1
1 Clinical assistant in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and clinical instructor in psychiatry at the Hospital and Harvard Medical School
The author reviews the history of Munchausen's syndrome and describes its characteristic presentation. While the syndrome has similarities to other compulsive behavior problems, it is a distinct phenomenon, distinguishable by careful diagnosis from malingering, hysteria, and related conditions. Sympathetic treatment of the basic underlying masochism of the patient is the appropriate response to the syndrome despite the temptation to react with hostility or indifference.
