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Somatic symptoms

Factitious disorder

Inventing, causing or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms in oneself or another person, without obvious external benefit.

Common signs

Inconsistent medical historiesMany hospital admissionsSymptoms that don't fit the test results

Tips

For you

  1. A professional approach without confrontation
  2. Long-term psychological treatment
  3. If a child is affected, inform child protection services

For family and friends

  1. Talk to their doctor about your suspicions
  2. Avoid direct confrontation

When to ask for help

  1. If a child is affected, inform child protection services or call 112
  2. If there is a risk to life

Warning signs

List of warning signs. Tick "Yes" for the ones you have noticed. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Reports symptoms that don't match what is observed
2. Has had many hospital admissions or tests
3. Changes doctor or hospital often
4. Symptoms get worse when they are about to be discharged
5. Has a lot of medical knowledge
6. Tampered tests or non-prescribed medication have been found
7. If it's a child: they only get ill when with one particular caregiver
8. The explanations don't add up

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveConfederación SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA (Spanish mental health confederation)Free external resourceAll our free guidesFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Somatic symptom disorderSomatic symptomsAnxiety disorder caused by illness (hypochondria)Somatic symptomsDisorder of functional neurological symptoms (conversion)Somatic symptomsPsychological factors that influence other medical conditionsSomatic symptoms

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.