Year: 1983 Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, v.140, no.4, (1983), p.420-425 SIEC No: 19832491

Of 20 patients who falsely reported the deaths of loved ones in order to assume the patient role, most presented with depression & suicidal ideation. Many had histories of factitious physical symptoms, manipulative suicide attempts, substance abuse & sociopathy. The authors recommend early & repeated confrontations in a firm but nonjudgmental manner combined with referral to outpatient psychotherapy focused on the underlying characterological problems. (15 refs.)