Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Munchausen’s by proxy (MSBP), now known as Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) and Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA or FDIoA) is a controversial and relatively rare mental health diagnosis, in which a caregiver or spouse fabricates, exaggerates, or induces mental or physical health problems in those who are in their care to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance for themselves.

It is both physical abuse and medical neglect and is also a form of psychological maltreatment.

Fabricated induced illness and children with ME/CFS
Some children with ME/CFS have found their parents accused of "fabricating" their illness, sometimes resulting in child protection/safeguarding measures being taken to separate the ill child from parents or carers. In some cases children with ME/CFS have been removed from parents and spent considerable time in a psychiatric unit, without parental contact. This has happened in a number of countries, including the UK, Denmark and Belgium.

Notable studies

 * 2006, Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Munchausen-By-Proxy: A Case Study - (Full text)

Articles, letters and videos

 * 2004, False allegations of Child Abuse in Cases of Childhood Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) - Jane Colby, Tymes Trust


 * 2015, Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy, Factitious Disorders in Children and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Full text)

News coverage

 * 2015, M.E. parents' fury at child abuse claims - Sunday Times newspaper, UK

Learn more

 * Wikipedia
 * Fabricated or induced illness