From the Research
Factitious disorder is a mental health condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach, including psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, to address underlying psychological needs and develop healthier coping mechanisms. The treatment of factitious disorder typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and management of co-occurring conditions, such as depression or anxiety, with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 1. Key aspects of management include:
- Establishing a consistent, non-confrontational therapeutic relationship
- Avoiding unnecessary medical procedures
- Coordinating care among providers to prevent doctor shopping The disorder differs from malingering, as patients with factitious disorder aren't seeking external rewards like financial gain or avoiding responsibilities, but rather are driven by psychological needs to be in the patient role. Some studies suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating eating disorders, which may have some similarities with factitious disorder in terms of the psychological needs driving the behavior 2, 3, 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study on the topic of treating internalizing disorders, which includes factitious disorder, suggests that a combination of SSRI and CBT can be effective in reducing symptoms 5. Therefore, a combination of SSRI and CBT is recommended as the most effective treatment approach for factitious disorder, based on the available evidence.