Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy Essay

Rita Mae Brown, an American writer, once said, “The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you” (Brown). Psychological and mental disorders are very common in the world, but it is commonly hidden by the public and a majority of the time, people are unclear if they have one or not. Sometimes these disorders are not just harmful to the individual person, but also to those surrounding the infected person. One particular syndrome in which the environment surrounding a person is at risk is Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a peculiar psychological disease that scientists and other medical professions are still trying to find the origins and explanations for this syndrome. Throughout the course of history, Munchausen has developed into a full-fledged disease and it still exists to this day.

Munchausen syndrome is an interesting and very peculiar disorder typically involving a parent’s oppressive attitude over their child. Janet and Robert Squires write in their article “A Review of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy” in Pediatric Annals break up the definition of Munchausen into separate components that states that the “child's illness is fictitious or induced by a caregiver, interaction with the health care system results in multiple medical tests and procedures, denial by the caregiver as to the cause of the child's illness, and symptoms abate following separation of the child from the caregiver” (Squires). Munchausen is seen by most clinical and social specialists as a form of child abuse. The parent completely neglects the child and uses them only to feel needed. Munchau...

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...ological disease that scientists and other medical professions are still trying to find the origins and explanations for this syndrome. Throughout the course of history, Munchausen has developed into a full-fledged disease and it still exists to this day. There is much that still needs to be learned about MSP in general, but every time there is an instance of this specific syndrome, it gives us the potential to gain a better understanding of it every day. Although there are many small and minute cases of MSP, the combination of them all allows our society to better adapt to them. Munchausen has caught some pop culture and media attention so far in the 21st century and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. With proper concentration and willingness to understand information, society will be able to obtain a full definition of Munchausen syndrome as well as treatments.