What is the medical definition of malingering?

Malingering is the intentional production or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms in order to obtain personal gain or avoid unpleasant situations. It is a type of factitious disorder, which is a mental illness characterized by the deliberate production or feigning of physical or psychological symptoms.

Malingering is different from other forms of deception in that the person is consciously and willfully producing the symptoms, rather than being delusional or hallucinating. It is also different from somatization disorder, which is a physical illness characterized by the unconscious conversion of psychological distress into physical symptoms.

Malingering can be difficult to diagnose, as it can be hard to distinguish from genuine illness. However, there are some key signs that may suggest that a person is malingering, such as:

* The symptoms are inconsistent or exaggerated. For example, a person may report feeling extreme pain but still be able to move around and function normally.

* The symptoms are only present when the person is being observed or evaluated. For example, a person may report feeling chest pain when they are in the doctor's office, but then the pain goes away when they leave.

* The person is resistant to treatment. For example, a person may refuse to take medication or undergo surgery, even if it is clearly needed.

* The person has a history of malingering or other forms of deception.

Malingering can be treated with psychotherapy, which can help the person understand why they are malingering and develop healthier ways of coping with stress and difficult situations.