Which term is synonymous with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another?

• A. Illness Anxiety Disorder
• B. Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• C. Malingering
• D. Somatic Symptom Disorder

Answer: (B)

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another is when a caregiver intentionally fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to assume the sick role. The term most commonly used to describe this by proxy pattern is Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The key idea is deliberate deception by the caregiver, aimed at being seen as a devoted, caring, sick-child caregiver, rather than for external rewards. This distinguishes it from malingering, where the deception is for tangible gain (money, avoiding work), and from Illness Anxiety Disorder or Somatic Symptom Disorder, where there isn’t intentional deception or harm to another. Although DSM-5 now uses the label Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another, Munchausen syndrome by proxy remains the well-known synonymous term.