Definition Malingering is a condition in which a person pretends to have an illness or disability to get some type of external gain. This may include trying to avoid work or get money.
What is going on in the body? A person who malingers may report many different symptoms. However, these symptoms are made up or greatly exaggerated. Someone showing this behaviour may want to avoid work or school, get drugs or money, or avoid criminal prosecution. In some cases, this behaviour may be considered positive, such as faking an illness when being held hostage in order to escape.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? A person who engages in malingering behaviour on a regular basis lacks the guilt that normal people get when lying. The person can be quite manipulative. Some individuals may only fake an illness once in a while, such as a person calling in sick to work or school when he or she is not really ill. Someone who is faking an illness may complain of any symptom that will fool the other person.
What are the causes and risks of the condition? Someone who malingers will fake an illness for some type of external gain, such as money. Those at higher risk are:
those with antisocial personality disorder, a condition that describes people who lack a properly formed conscience or sense of guilt when doing something wrong
men, who are more likely to show this behaviour than women
What can be done to prevent the condition? There is no known way to prevent occasional faking of an illness. Holding a person accountable for his or her actions may help prevent repeat episodes of malingering.
How is the condition diagnosed? A doctor may suspect malingering when a person is clearly trying to gain something, such as analgesia or money. Any tests ordered are usually negative. The physical examination often fails to show anything abnormal.
What are the long-term effects of the condition? The long-term effects of malingering are related to the type and size of gain a person is after. For instance, a person who seeks thousands of dollars in a phony lawsuit may be convicted of fraud if caught. On the other hand, if the person is successful, he or she may hurt others by taking from them.
What are the risks to others? Those who malinger can cost other people money, time, and energy.
What are the treatments for the condition? Those who sometimes call in sick to get out of work or school do not need treatment, as this is not a pattern of behaviour. Setting firm limits on a person's behaviour and holding the person accountable for his or her actions is important. Treatment may be needed for an underlying drug addiction, if this is the reason for faking illness.
What are the side effects of the treatments? There are generally no side effects from treatment for drug addiction.
What happens after treatment for the condition? Those who are caught faking an illness may face consequences, depending on the gain they seek. Those who get away with faking an illness usually do so at the expense of others. Those treated for a drug addiction are often able to return to healthy, productive lives.
How is the condition monitored? Those who fake illness often are fairly skilled at deceiving others. These people usually avoid attempts at monitoring. Some may move from job to job or place to place.
Author: Ann Reyes, Ph.D. Reviewer: eknowhow Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr John Hearne Last Updated: 19/06/2005 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
