Criteria for diagnosis include intentionally fabricating to produce physical or psychological signs or symptoms and the absence of any other mental<unk> . Motivation for their behavior must be to assume the "sick" role, and they do not act sick for personal gain as in the case of malingering sentiments. When the individual applies this pretended sickness to a dependent, for example, a child, it is often referred to as<unk>  by proxy". The DSM-5 differentiates among two types:<unk>  imposed on self (Munchausen syndrome)<unk>  imposed on another (Munchausen syndrome by proxy), defined as: When an individual falsifies illness in another, whether that be a child, pet, or older adult.<unk>  imposed on self<unk>  imposed on self, previously called Munchausen syndrome, or<unk>  with predominantly physical signs and symptoms, has specified symptoms.<unk>  symptoms may seem exaggerated; individuals undergo major surgery repeatedly, and they "hospital jump" or migrate to avoid detection.<unk>  imposed on another<unk>  imposed on another, previously Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is the involuntary use of another individual to play the patient role. For example, false symptoms are produced in children by the caregivers or parents, to produce the appearance of illness, or they may give misleading medical histories about their children. The parent may falsify the child's medical history or tamper with laboratory tests to make the child appear sick. Occasionally, in Munchausen by proxy, the caregiver actually injures the child or makes them sick to ensure that the child is treated. For instance, a father whose son has celiac disease might knowingly introduce gluten into the diet. Such parents may be validated by the attention that they receive from having a sick child. Ganser syndrome Ganser syndrome was once considered a separate<unk> , but is now considered a dissociative<unk> . It is a<unk>  of extreme stress or an organic condition. The patient suffers from approximation or giving absurd answers to simple questions. The syndrome is sometimes diagnosed as merely malingering—however, it is more often defined as a<unk> . This has been seen in prisoners following solitary confinement, and the symptoms are consistent in different prisons, though the patients do not know one another. Symptoms include a clouding of consciousness, somatic conversion symptoms, confusion, stress, loss of personal identity, echolalia, and echopraxia. Individuals also give approximate answers to simple questions such as, "How many legs on a cat?" "Three"; "What's the day after Wednesday?" "Friday"; and so on. The<unk>  is extraordinarily rare with fewer than 100 recorded cases. While individuals of all backgrounds have been reported with the<unk> , there is a higher inclination towards males (75% or more). The average age of those with Ganser syndrome is 32, though it stretches from ages 15–62 years old. Differential diagnosis<unk>  should be distinguished from somatic symptom<unk>  (formerly called somatization<unk> , in which the patient is truly experiencing the symptoms and has no intention to deceive. In conversion<unk>  (previously called hysteria), a neurological deficit appears with no organic cause. The patient, again, is truly experiencing the symptoms and signs and has no intention to deceive. The differential also includes body dysmorphic<unk>  and pain<unk> .
Factitious disorder
Malingering
Functional somatic syndrome
Transference neurosis
Sexual masochism disorder
Autoeczematization
Psychopathy
Posttraumatic embitterment disorder