The authors surveyed factitious disorders displayed in 41hypochondriacal patients over a 10 year period in a Boston hospital. 41 disorders were identified including one that was fatal & several that were chronic, severe, & life threatening. 33 patients were confronted with evidence that their disorders were self-induced; none of these 33 patients signed out of the hospital or became suicidal. Although only 13 patients acknowledged causing their disorders, most improved after confrontation. (22 refs) (SC)