Letz C:

In Munchausen syndrome, the affected person exaggerates or creates symptoms
of illnesses in themselves to gain examination, treatment, attention,
sympathy, and/or comfort from medical personnel. In some extreme cases,
people suffering from Munchausen's syndrome are highly knowledgeable about
the practice of medicine and are able to produce symptoms that result in
lengthy and costly medical analysis, prolonged hospital stay and unnecessary
operations. The role of "patient" is a familiar and comforting one, and it
fills a psychological need in people with this syndrome. This disorder is
distinct from hypochondriasis and other somatoform disorders in that those
with the latter do not intentionally produce their somatic symptoms.
Munchausen syndrome is distinct from other psychiatric disorders such as
malingering, in that Munchausen does not fabricate symptoms for material
gain such as financial compensation, absence from work, or access to drugs.

Risk factors for developing Munchausen syndrome include childhood traumas,
growing up with parents/caretakers who were emotionally unavailable due to
illness or emotional problems, a serious illness as a child, failed
aspirations to work in the medical field, personality disorders, and a low
self-esteem. Munchausen syndrome is more common in men and seen in young or
middle-aged adults. Those with a history of working in healthcare are also
at greater risk of developing it.

Arrhythmogenic Munchausen syndrome describes individuals who simulate or
stimulate cardiac arrhythmias to gain medical attention.

A similar behavior called Munchausen syndrome by proxy has been documented
in the parent or guardian of a child. The adult ensures that his or her
child will experience some medical affliction, therefore compelling the
child to suffer treatment for a significant portion of their youth in
hospitals. Furthermore, a disease may actually be initiated in the child by
the parent or guardian. This condition is considered distinct from
Munchausen syndrome. There is growing consensus in the pediatric community
that this disorder should be renamed "medical abuse" to highlight the harm
caused by the deception and to make it less likely that a perpetrator can
use a psychiatric defense when harm is done.


AND NOW YOU KNOW.
LOL