THE CHALLENGES OF CORRECTLY DIAGNOSING AND TREATING PATIENTS WITH FACTITIOUS DISORDER: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Factitious disorder consists in the presentation of clinical signs and symptoms simulated by a patient who finds psychological comfort in assuming the role of a sick person without seeing any secondary gains from such condition. Given the variety of signs and symptoms, which can be simulated, physical and psychological, in addition to their subjectivity, the incidence and prevalence of this disorder are unknown, and the diagnosis and management of this condition are real challenges for health teams, being that when performed incorrectly they represent an increase in the morbidity and mortality of cases. This literature review aims to highlights the diagnostic difficulty that factitious disorder imposes, by its very nature, and the importance of the discussion about this pathology among health professionals, in order to allow a greater number of correct conducts and the consequent decrease in the morbidity and mortality of these patients.