Posted by zazenduckie on November 28, 2006, at 10:41:37
In reply to Munchausen by Internet, posted by notfred on November 24, 2006, at 0:47:43
Munchhausen by proxy might be more accurate when the "relatives" start showing up and posting as mentioned in the article.
The "caregiver" role some persons on the internet cultivate towards others in the support group is also more like munchausen by proxy (where the caregiver is recieving gratification and praise for her role as caregiver rather than as patient).
People claiming to be professionals also occasionally make appearances with the same resulting dynamic.
I think munchhausen by proxy might be occurring when someone begins to diagnose and insist that someone else is suffering various syndromes or illnesses and makes her attention and support contingent on the other person accepting the "sick" role of her choice. Or maybe not. I don't know. How aware do you think the Munchhausen by proxy has to be of her actions? Not very I don't think. There has to be massive denial I would think.I read an interesting book by a woman who survived a childhood of M by proxy "Sickening". (That might not be the right title-amazon didn't have it)
She was also unaware of what was going on but became in some ways her mother's ally in acting out the role of sick person. She ended up an anorexic and described her own overcoming without much in the way of therapy. Her mother never acknowledged anything at all abnormal in her childhood. Good book but wrenching.
poster:zazenduckie
thread:706607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/708164.html