How to Recognize Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

There are many forms of child abuse practiced by unfit parents and all are terrible, but there is one that is caused by a twisted psychological illness by some parents, usually the mother--Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. It's characterized by a parent who makes her child ill by various means to receive attention from others, particularly in the medical community.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch for children who are continually ill but who have no symptoms that correspond with a known disease. Often the mother gives the child medication or chemical substances to make him vomit or have diarrhea. The mother continually brings them to the doctor and always seems terribly worried about his health.

• 2

  Pay attention to the actions of mothers whose child is hospitalized on a regular basis. Mother's who have Munchausen syndrome by Proxy are exceptionally attentive and helpful to gain praise from the nurses and medical staff for being such a caring parent.

• 3

  Look for signs that the hospitalized child's symptoms become worse when the mother is there, and seem to become less serious during her absence. The child is probably fine when leaving the hospital, but then returns again at a later date with the same or other symptoms. This is dangerous because over time the mother's attempts to gain sympathy intensify and can result in the child's death.

• 4

  Pay attention to possible signs of malnutrition and other types of neglect. The mother often withholds food or does not take care of the child's other physical and psychological needs. Check stool and urine tests for signs of chemicals or medication that should not be there.

• 5

  Look carefully at a family whose history includes multiple cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Now as doctors know more about this disease, they have found it is unlikely to happen to multiple children in the same family. Some mothers kill their babies claiming they were victims of SIDS, because they crave the attention and sympathy that comes with the loss of the baby.