The simulation of psychosis: a contemporary presentation

The detection of malingered mental illness

“…Another defendant markedly exaggerated the number of his robberies because he felt it would make him look more ill. 2. Malingerers are eager to call attention to their illnesses, which is in contrast to schizophrenics, who are often reluctant to discuss their symptoms (Ritson & Forest, 1970). Some malingerers limit their symptoms to repeatedly mentioning one or two (delusional) accusations (MacDonald, 1976).…”

“…Hospitalized psychiatric patients are quite skillful in detecting a malingerer in their midst (Rosenhan, 1973). Other patients have occasionally told malingerers to stop play-acting (Ritson & Forest, 1970).…”

A case of factitious disorder in a 9 year old girl

“…A good doctor-patient relationship forms the basis for successful management. Ritson and Forrest proposed the 'contract conference' approach for management, where focus is shifted away from illness and towards difficult relationships, feelings and other problems, which the patient is encouraged to resolve 9 . In addition, ward staff should be educated that although patient intentionally feigns symptoms, it is due to the illness rather than deceitfulness 2 .…”

Diagnosis and Classification of Factitious Disorder with Operational Diagnostic Systems

“…The phenomenologi cal and etiological relationship between facti tious disorder and borderline [9,10], acute, transient and atypical psychotic disorders [11,12] and dissociative states [13] have to be included in the operational diagnostic sys tems.…”