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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffMany mental disorders develop from a complex mix of biology, genetics and life experiences. But to date, there's little evidence that biology or genetics plays a role in Munchausen syndrome. Researchers are still studying what causes someone to so strongly desire playing the sick role that they develop Munchausen syndrome.
- Factitious disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Eisendrath, SJ. Factitious disorder (including Munchausen's syndrome). In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128035876-3/821157946/1701/215.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50009-4--subchapter1_4547. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Hamilton JC, et al. Factitious disorders and malingering. In: Gabbard GO. Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. American Psychiatric Association; 2007. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Purcell TB. Factitious disorders and malingering. In: Marx JA, et al., eds. Marx: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128035876-4/821158282/1365/348.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50117-7--cesec4_5748. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Factitious disorder and malingering. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Lipsitt DR. Factitious disorder and Munchausen syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2008.
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 26, 2009.
