What Is Factitious Disorder?
7. What Are the Obstacles To Diagnosis and Treatment?
Few individuals with factitious disorder are willing to be diagnosed and actively avoid treatment for their actual mental disorder. This makes it difficult for doctors and psychiatrists to work together on a diagnosis and treatment plan. Once a diagnosis has been made, continual treatment is difficult. Most individuals are aware of their own deception, so they may continue to act this way even after the harm of the disorder is explained.
Typically, even after a correct diagnosis an individual with this disorder will continue to create false medical histories and avoid using his or her real name. This makes it difficult for psychiatrists to prescribe a treatment plan and see that it is followed. Without proper treatment, many individuals with this disorder face severe injury or even death from substance abuse and unnecessary surgeries. Factitious disorder imposed on others can lead to serious injury or death of the individual under their care.
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