Factitious disorder

Inconsistent presentation, deceptive behaviour, symptom production, incentive-linked pattern

RoutineReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 3
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forMissing real illnessself-harm through inductionsafeguarding concerns

Presentation hinge

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Separates the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group. It is not specific to Factitious disorder.

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group — not specific to Factitious disorder

Why it fits

Inconsistent presentation, deceptive behaviour, symptom production, incentive-linked pattern

Key features

Must-not-miss

Missing real illness, self-harm through induction, safeguarding concerns.

High-risk causes3 causes

Missing real illness
self-harm through induction
safeguarding concerns

Bedside question

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Priority steps

Investigations

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.