Citation

Kannai R. Fam. Syst. Health 2009; 27(1): 105-112.

Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine, Hadassah School of Medicine, Hebrew University, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. rkannai@gmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Families, Systems and Health)

DOI

10.1037/a0015031

PMID

19630450

Abstract

Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy is hard to diagnose and treat. The patient harms a defenseless person who is in his care, usually a baby or a child, in order to receive the attention the parent requires. Such a parent makes his child ill, introduces his body to various dangers, and with much concern and sacrifice brings him in for medical treatment, accompanying it all patiently, lovingly and anxiously. All the while, the caregiver is making sure to sabotage the healing and cause further harm. This syndrome is a challenge to family physicians, internists and pediatricians, since only the continuity of care of these families may reveal the dangerous syndrome and prevent its harmful outcomes. In this case report, Sarah, the loving mother of Joy, continuously damages her daughter's health and exposes her to the dangers of sophisticated medical interventions. Only careful inspection by the medical teams, dialogue and co-operation can bring to an end the harmful behavior of Joy's mother.

Language: en