Factitious Disorder Overview

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (22 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Jul 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS), previously known as Munchausen syndrome, presents a complex clinical challenge characterized by intentional production or falsification of physical or psychological symptoms without external incentives. Falling under somatic symptom and related disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, FDIS often eludes diagnosis due to inconsistent clinical findings, an eagerness to undergo invasive procedures, and resistance to psychiatric evaluation. This course examines the clinical presentation of FDIS, characterized by vague or dramatic symptoms—such as infections, seizures, or wounds—that persist despite extensive workup. The Munchausen subtype involves a chronic pattern of peregrination, pseudologia fantastica, and self-inflicted harm, often leaving behind a trail of unnecessary surgeries and altered medical records.

This course also reviews the psychological underpinnings of FDIS—such as unresolved childhood trauma, social isolation, or a need for control—and guides more empathetic, nonconfrontational care strategies. Clinicians must maintain vigilance for red flags, obtain prior records, and coordinate with psychiatry and other professionals to promote safe, patient-centered care. Psychotherapy remains the primary treatment, though patient engagement is often limited. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in identifying FDIS, performing the recommended evaluation, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing this condition, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. 


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the presentation of a patient with factitious disorder imposed on self.

  • Determine the psychological etiologies of factitious disorder imposed on self, including associations with childhood trauma, social isolation, and unmet emotional needs.

  • Implement the treatment approaches for factitious disorder imposed on self.

  • Apply interprofessional team strategies to improve care coordination and outcomes for patients with factitious disorder imposed on self.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


As a Jointly Accredited Organization, StatPearls, LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. StatPearls, LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 continuing education credits.

Social Workers: StatPearls, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.00 ASWB ACE credit(s) for social workers. Social Workers should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Thomas P. on 3/12/2021

Cathy W. on 6/6/2021

Gibi G. on 12/12/2021

K.Navanitha R. on 10/6/2022

Manish Kumar S. on 9/27/2022

David G. on 9/30/2022

Oula C. on 11/29/2022

Latoya R. on 2/6/2023

Sweta S. on 8/16/2023

Laura M. on 9/13/2023

Alice F. on 9/16/2023

Ariana B. on 12/10/2023

Malani K. on 5/23/2024

Mamta B. on 5/27/2024

Anuradha S. on 5/28/2024

Kathleen M. on 9/2/2024

Nicole M. on 9/15/2024

Gautam P. on 9/18/2024

Dr Prashasti k. on 10/16/2024

Thomas P. on 3/1/2025

Seth C. on 4/13/2025

Jennifer S. on 7/6/2025

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