Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder, a mental disorder in which a person repeatedly and deliberately acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick.

Munchausen Syndrome, named for Baron von Munchausen, an 18th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences, is the most severe type of factitious disorder.

Most of the symptoms in people with Munchausen Syndrome are related to physical illness; symptoms such as chest pain, stomach problems, or fever, rather than those of a mental disorder.

The exact cause of Munchausen Syndrome is not known, but researchers believe both biological and psychological factors play a role in the development of this syndrome.

Some theories suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as a child, or a history of frequent illnesses requiring hospitalization, might be factors associated with the development of this syndrome.

Another theory as to what causes Munchausen Syndrome is if a person has a history of frequent or prolonged illnesses that required hospitalization. The rationale behind this theory is that individuals with Munchausen Syndrome may associate their childhood memories with a sense of being taken care of.

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