the Munchausen’s-by-proxy syndrome

The topic I have chosen talks about the Munchausen’s-by-proxy syndrome. The syndrome is used by the Juridical psychology (in forensic and criminal psychology, by example) in differential diagnosis of legal cases, to determine more accurately the perpetrator of a crime, as well as their motives or circumstances related to it. The paper explains what the basis of the syndrome is: it is when either parent simulates the sickness of child, carrying them to a lot of doctors, doing examinations to them, and in severe cases, causing the death of them. The perpetrator is usually the mother, and even though it gives the impression that she cares about her child, she is more centered on the generated sickness than the child itself. The father usually adopts a distant relationship and is not involved with the treatment of his child.

The doctors knowing nothing of that are troubled with the lack of information about the disease, which leaves them with a closed judgment, and leaving the child with more pressure in the medic ambit. The medical case exposed in the paper refers to a mother who, in her life, had five children, and four of them died of weird circumstances, being related with the separation of her partners. The last daughter, Ester, was going to have the same end, but the medical and psychological team found about the existence of the syndrome, and they could protect her from her mother.

Finally, it ends with a discussion about the risk of the medical team on the moment to attend this type of cases. I think this topic (and in especial, all differential diagnosis in Juridical psychology) is very important given the consequences of the syndrome. Leave your child to die thinking you are doing a good thing (protecting them) is something you couldn’t even think of, labeling as crazy at least, but unfortunately, this kind of things happens. The knowledge of this cases and the opportune reaction could save lives, so I think it is essential to study them, give them reflection, and if you want to be a forensic psychologist, have them in mind every time you do an analysis of a case.

I you want to read the paper, you can dowload it from there: http://www.mediafire.com/download/9eko9vms5vm2maj/munchausen-por-poder.docx

Thanks for reading!