Psychologists Off the Clock

Psychologists Off the Clock


314. Munchausen by Proxy with Andrea Dunlop and Marc Feldman

August 02, 2023

Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome (MBPS) is a psychological disorder that you may have heard whispers about in the media in which a person, usually a parent, fakes or induces a medical condition in another person to gain attention. In most cases, it is the mother of a child who pretends or even causes medical symptoms the child does not actually have.


To shed light on this highly complex topic, we brought in the expertise of Andrea Dunlop, founder of Munchausen Support, and Marc Feldman, a renowned specialist in factitious disorder, Munchausen syndrome, and Munchausen by proxy. Through personal experiences, real-life cases, and scientific research, they educate us on the underlying motivations behind this behavior, including the desire for attention and emotional gratification.


The conversation also touches on the range of behaviors associated with Munchausen by Proxy, from subtle forms of overmedicalization to extreme cases involving active induction of illness. Andrea and Marc stress the need to acknowledge and address these behaviors, as well as provide support and resources for survivors and their families. Find out how we can support people affected by these complex disorders by tuning in.


Listen and Learn:
  • Andrea shares her personal experience with the topic after her sister was investigated for medical child abuse
  • The distinctions between Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy 
  • Are Munchausen syndrome patients, or Munchausen by proxy perpetrators, deliberately deceitful?
  • What kind of satisfaction does Munchausen syndrome cause to motivate such pathological behavior?
  • Can factitious disorder behaviors occur in both real life and online?
  • How do we recognize the signs of Munchausen syndrome, or Munchausen by proxy?
  • Does Munchausen behavior always lead someone to be the perpetrator?
  • Where to find resources and information about Munchausen
  • What we can do to prevent abuse inflicted by Munchausen by proxy 
  • Are we bad at recognizing female violence? 
  • Is rehabilitation possible?


Resources: 


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