Child Abuse: Munchausen By Proxy

Words: 1660
Pages: 7
Open Document
Child abuse is most often seen and spoken of as the physical hitting and injuring of a child for disciplinary purposes or in anger. However, there is another form of child abuse. One that sprouts not from anger or inability to otherwise disciple a child, but by a desire for attention. Munchausen by Proxy is the unheard of and undiscussed form of abuse that seems to be hidden from the world, one even harder to spot than the usual abuse. Munchausen by proxy is a form of Munchausen syndrome, an extremely rare mental illness that causes people to go to great lengths to deceive medical professionals into believing they have an illness, often by poisoning, starving themselves, etc. Munchausen by proxy occurs when someone does this to another person, …show more content…
In neglected households the child may have only received any attention when they were sick and their parents new they needed medical attention. If the parent only received attention when they were sick, they grew up thinking that was the only way to get people to pay attention to them, by being sick (Lyness, 2015). This distorted thinking and the deep-rooted need for attention they still experience leads to them making their children sick because in their minds, that is how you get attention. They are not only looking for people to pay attention to their child, but themselves as well. When their child is sick and they stay at the hospital to take care of them they are praised and seen as wonderful, caring parents.
Abuse or neglect is always combined with a few other issues, often biological factors and major stress aid in causing onset of the syndrome. ("Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy") As mentioned before, a need for attention is the most important factor. There is always a need for attention, they just use their child to receive this attention by proxy. What varies is the origin of the need, whether it be abuse, neglect, or just a bad combination of biological predisposition and …show more content…
These parents are very ill. Extreme neglect or abuse, often combined with major stress, create a parent who without comprehending that they are hurting their child or maybe without caring, cause their children to be sick for the attention. They are skilled at deceiving and it makes it very hard to actually diagnose them with the disorder. If the doctors recognize the symptoms, from doctor shopping to chemicals in a child’s urine, they still have to work hard to prove it. After the parent has been diagnosed, treating them is almost impossible because they are often unwilling to admit to anything. The child is usually placed in the care of another and treated with extensive therapy. What MBPS needs the most is awareness. If doctors can recognize it, we can study it and figure out how to prevent and properly treat it. This abuse is just as dangerous as any other
Show More

Related Documents: Child Abuse: Munchausen By Proxy

Munchausen: Mental Disorder and Century German Officer Essay

Munchausen In this essay I will explore Munchausen Syndrome and Munchausen by proxy. Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy are terms for psychiatric disorders known as factitious disorders. Munchausen is the most severe type of factitious disorder. Munchausen syndrome is named after Baron von Munchausen, an 18th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences. Munchausen Syndrome is when an individual feigns disease, illness, or psychological…

Words 765 - Pages 4

The Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy

Patricia Portalatin Professor Samra Criminology 5 April 2013 Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy The Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MBP) is a controversial condition in the society. The condition involves a behavioral pattern, whereby, a caregiver constantly feigns illness for children under their care (Day and Moseley 14). MBP is controversial since it can cause legal dilemmas, especially when the individual who committed the crime suffers from the disease. In order to comprehend the significance of the…

Words 1552 - Pages 7

Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

decisions Fatigue and decreased energy Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping Irritability, restlessness Causes: Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life. Certain medications. For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression. Treatments: Speaking to your doctor…

Words 1112 - Pages 5

Essay Final: Murder and Sexual Serial Killers

Methods and Motives- Males- Killing is lengthy, guns 38%, strangled 35%, Stabbed 32%, motive: sex used to gain control, 63% prior prison or mental institution, 38% sex related crime, 17% against children : rejection, unstable home, physical/ mental abuse common; Females- Noticeable difference from males, 45% used poison, 47% motivated by money/ revenge, only 10% sexually motivated: history of sexual molestation, prostitution, neglect, extreme poverty and unstable marriage Differences between Male…

Words 1283 - Pages 6

safeguarding and protection hsc 024 Essay examples

adult abuse In many cases that multi-disciplinary assessments are by recording and observation in either written or electronic data (eg cctv, or typed statements,) and made of aware past history records of either victim or abuser, as this does not mean the individual’s past records is still the abuser or victim had replayed the past so it’s best to identify physical, mental or behavioural indicators that suggest physical or mental illness, or some other issue, rather than mistreatment or abuse. This…

Words 5178 - Pages 21