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Malingering
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Malingering is a condition in which a person pretends to have an illness or disability to get some type of external gain. This may include trying to avoid work or get money.
What is going on in the body?
A person who malingers may report many different symptoms. However, these symptoms are made up or greatly exaggerated. Someone showing this behavior may want to avoid work or school, get drugs or money, or avoid criminal prosecution. In some cases, this behavior may be considered positive, such as faking an illness when being held hostage in order to escape.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Someone who malingers will fake an illness for some type of external gain, such as money. Those at higher risk are: