INFORMATION ON MALINGERING
Malingering may be defined as act of intentionally feigning or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms for personal gain. People with malingering may pretend to have physical or psychological illness for any reasons. Faked illness help them to get out of work, military duty, or criminal prosecution. Malingering can also help them obtain financial compensation through insurance claims, lawsuits, or workers' compensation..Malingering may take the form of complaints of chronic whiplash pain from automobile accidents.
In a sense, malingering cannot be treated because the American Psychiatric Association does not recognize it as a personality disorder. Patients who are purposefully faking symptoms for gain do not want to be cured.
SYMPTOMS OF MALINGERING
The symptoms may vary from person to person. Generally malingerers complain of psychological disorders such as anxiety. They may also complain of chronic pain for which objective tests such as x rays can find no physical cause.DIAGNOSIS OF MALINGERING
Malingering may be suspected:1. When a patient is referred for examination by an attorney
2. When the onset of illness coincides with a large financial incentive, such as a new disability policy
3. When objective medical tests do not confirm the patient's complaints
4. When the patient does not cooperate with the diagnostic work-up or prescribed treatment
5. When the patient has antisocial attitudes and behaviors.
