Factitious disorder - Fraud?

[ptrk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? KS

For a number of compelling reasons, I suspect that, with the help of her emotionally unstable (BPD) mother, my teenage daughter might be poisoning herself to create a severe anemia - which she seems to be able to control. The NIH is involved but they don't know how to handle suspected Factitious/Munchausen disorder. I've notified my HMO and they MIGHT be able to investigate from the Fraud standpoint, but I just want to get my daughter well, her mother away from her, and someone to give me some hope. Any ideas? Thank you!

[ecmst12]

It doesn't sound like fraud to me, there is no intent to collect money (at least that is not what I'm getting from the limited information in your post) for symptoms that don't exist. It sounds like a cry for help from a messed up kid. You should be working with your daughter's doctors to get her the help she needs. This is a medical situation, not a criminal one.

[ptrk]

Originally Posted by ecmst12

It doesn't sound like fraud to me, there is no intent to collect money (at least that is not what I'm getting from the limited information in your post) for symptoms that don't exist. It sounds like a cry for help from a messed up kid. You should be working with your daughter's doctors to get her the help she needs. This is a medical situation, not a criminal one.

I'm looking for some angle to investigate this, because, as I said, the doctors don't have any idea how to pursue this nor do they care. She is on anti-depressants and thrives on the attention and her mother thrives on the chaos it creates for me and my family. The extent of questioning by the psychologist was "do you feel suicidal? Are you doing this to yourself? No? Okay then." Regarding compensation, besides emotional, she leaves tomorrow for an all-expense paid trip to New York compliments of the Dream Factory. Disgusting. So, this doesn't sound like a problem to anyone then?

[lealea1005]

Was your daughter diagnosed with Munchausen Syndrome by a Physician? For gosh sake! She is being treated at NIH. What makes you think they haven't thoroughly investigated the cause of her anemia?

Obviously, your daughter is ill, no matter what the ultimate diagnosis is. She should be receiving your unconditional love and support. It's sad that you, her father, considers a trip with Dream Factory undeserved "compensation".

[ecmst12]

I'm not sure I understand what you're even talking about. If her psychologist does not believe she is harming herself, there is probably a reason for that. You could take her to a psychiatrist for evaluation, but I don't know what else you're looking for. If you want to remove her from your ex's custody, you are going to have to go through the usual channels in family court for that.

[ptrk]

Originally Posted by lealea1005

Obviously, your daughter is ill, no matter what the ultimate diagnosis is. She should be receiving your unconditional love and support. It's sad that you, her father, considers a trip with Dream Factory undeserved "compensation".

And with the tiny amount you know about this situation, I can see why you would think that. But for the countless volunteers who donate their time, money, love, blood, sweat, and tears toward that incredible organization, the thought that somebody could exploit their hard and noble work by creating their own malady is beyond sad...it is tragic.

If you think that my swimming against the stream on this by admitting my own child has a severe emotional disorder isn't unconditional love then I'm not sure what is.