A disorder that is not real or natural. The symptoms, physical and psychological, are produced by the individual and are under voluntary control. These symptoms and the behavior are used to pursue a goal, i.e., to assume the role of patient and to stay in a hospital. This is attained by various means, such as taking anticoagulants or other drugs when they are not needed, or feigning pain with nausea and vomiting, dizziness, fainting, fever of unknown origin, or other illnesses. Psychological symptoms may include feigned memory loss, hallucinations, and uncooperativeness. Affected patients have a severe personality disturbance.

SEE: malinger; Munchausen syndrome.