Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Which type of disorder involves falsifying symptoms to gain attention?

1. Illness anxiety disorder

2. Factitious disorder

3. Conversion disorder

4. Somatic symptom disorder

The correct answer is: Factitious disorder

Factitious disorder is characterized by an individual's deliberate falsification or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms, typically driven by a desire to assume the sick role and gain attention or sympathy from others. Individuals with this disorder may feign illness or intentionally create symptoms to appear as if they are suffering from a medical condition, which often leads them to seek unnecessary medical treatment and interventions. In this case, the primary motivation is not financial gain or avoidance of responsibilities, but rather a psychological need for the attention and care that comes with being perceived as ill. This distinguishes factitious disorder from other disorders, where symptoms may arise from a genuine sense of illness or distress. Illness anxiety disorder focuses on the fear of having a serious illness despite minimal or no symptoms and does not involve intentionally producing symptoms. Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms inconsistent with medical conditions, often arising from psychological factors, but without conscious intent to deceive. Somatic symptom disorder features excessive focus on physical symptoms causing significant distress, but again, it does not involve conscious fabrication of symptoms. The unique aspect of factitious disorder lies in the intentional manipulation of symptoms, which aligns with the question regarding the desire for attention through symptom falsification.