I thought this might be of interest in current situation

[O2Trees]

Interesting Guardian article this morning: "Munchausen by internet" (or Munchausen by proxy by internet!)

theguardian.com/society/201...

Keep well people

[huggs]

Hi Jean,

That an interesting article to read just now. Thanks a lot for posting it.

Take care,

hugs from Huggs xxx

[Grasso97]

That sums the situation up exactly. Do we feel angry or sad ???

[O2Trees in reply to Grasso97]

Probably both.

[Hidden]

Fascinating article Trees, thanks for sharing. We need look no further then the posts following yours, to see a good example of someone trying to infiltrate and take over a forum for sick people. This isn't Munchausens but it is bizarre behaviour that probably also has a name. I think a lot of us here would probably prefer for their illnesses to be fictional too. We wish

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

But the earlier stuff felt like Munchausens by proxy Argana.

Though how do we know? Its ALL very bizarre.

But i can see how attractive Munchausens would be, just from my experiences with friends and the wider community during this last major flare-up and since too. Everyone's been so supportive and loving, even ones I don't know so well. If you didn't have much love or attention in your life, it could be seen as a way of getting it. Like you, i would love for it to be fictional.

[sassy59]

Fascinating stuff O2. Thanks for the post. You take care xxxx

[cofdrop-UK]

Interesting and worrying article 02 - thanks for sharing. cx

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing - it gives some "irrational" explanation. xx

[Hidden]

Interesting thank you 02, would'nt it be lovely if ours was fictional. xx

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Not 'arf Sheila

[Bevvy]

Very interesting article

[Sokrackers]

Hi O2

Thank you for that very interesting article. I read it as I sit by my daughters bedside in hospital. Where we have been for the last 3 days.

All the staff, doctors, surgeons are working so hard to get people seen to and made well.

We are on the children's ward so it pulls at the heart strings to see so many poorly children who need help.

We are lucky with an appendicitis be out soon.

Such a shame and a waste that people feel the need to abuse the resources, skills and kindness of those willing to help.

SK & mini SK

[O2Trees in reply to Sokrackers]

Sending healing strength and rapid recovery wishes to both SKs xxx

[Sokrackers in reply to O2Trees]

Keyhole surgery last night so out after lunch today.

All is well.

Thanks SK & sk

[Hidden in reply to Sokrackers]

How is she doing did she get to her interview x

[Sokrackers in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mandy

She's is fine, still tender but went to her interview only 37 hrs after surgery. Of course they were surprised to see her. I think she did well they said her passion was remarkable. She asked if she should change anything to improve her chances and they said not to change a thing lol. If she is successful she will be paid well and supported through her education so fingers crossed.

Then 10 minutes after the interview she fell asleep and slept for 5 hours bless her.

Xxx

[O2Trees in reply to Sokrackers]

Wow, what a fighter SK. Very pleased all turned out well. "To sleep, perchance to dream . . . "

xxx

[Hidden]

Received huge publicity here.So terrible hearing of people so devasted by this,whom had every good faith in her & the supposed diet.PLUS ALL THE MONEY THAT HAD BEEN DONATED!

I could be wrong,but I thought the court had ruled out Munchausens syndrome,& had ruled it was a definete calculated attempt at making money.

My heart just goes out to the people that had blindly followed her. xxx

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

I don't know about that Wendells, sounds very possible. But that's the trouble when a general article is hung on one person's circumstances, it may not be a perfect fit. But the concept of Munchausens by internet is very convincing. xxx

[Hidden]

Deeply unsettling article. I am torn between compassion for those who feel they need to do these things to be "fulfilled" and the harm that could result in real sufferers heeding their false advise . Those who set out merely for financial gain are beneath contempt.

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

I know exactly what you mean davjohn. Quite complicated to untangle sometimes.

[Hidden]

Hi 02, working in hospitals I worked with people with munchausens, the extremes they go to to make beleive they are ill is scarey and sad. I'm torn between feeling sorry for them and can't be bothered to care. I did hate the fact they took up valuable hospital beds, money wasted on tests ( can't not be done just in case ) the ones doing it for money gain are just sick minded.

Take care xx sonia xx

[scorpiolass]

Unsettling article o2; it is contemptable if people feign illness for financial gain. However, for people who go to such lengths to recieve attention and kindness, clearly they have emotional needs that are not being met. I used to work in mental health, some people do have trajic lives, with little support other than professional. There are numerous approaches to mental / emotional illness. I don,t subscrbe to bevioural approaches, more try to be what people need you to be. As if people don,t have enough problems, with their illness,, battling dwp etcetra, are they now to be faced with providing evidence for how they feel. Sometimes we get 'taken in' but measured against all the times support was needed, should we not continue to try and be compassionate? Love Margaret x

[O2Trees in reply to scorpiolass]

I worked in mental health too Margaret and agree to a large extent. Where i feel a conflict is when the disturbed actions of a person(s) disrupts the lives of others who are vulnerable. xxx

[Hidden]

Really interesting article...I've read about this girl before but not in such depth.

[onamission]

Just goes to show we have some sick people in this world I worked in the NHS for many years and came across people like this I think people who waste NHS money should be made to pay it all back.

[O2Trees]

Thanks to everyone who replied and read the article xxxxxx

[undine]

thank you, very interesting and I guess a reminder to take everything we read on the internet, with a pinch of salt including sadly 'miracle cures', (which we'd all love to believe), and so cruel for those who innocently place their faith in them. I am always suspicious when people want to make money out of their so called 'cures' - a red flag for me - but undermines also those who genuinely think they have a cure or just useful advice. Very sad. And am not at all impressed with the levels (or not) of journalism in the women's magazines mentioned, nor in Penguin books - I would expect a more responsible behaviour in regards to what they publish under their banners - all in all an interesting but very sad article.

[Hidden]

Oh i definitely think we have a couple of people on here with that x

[katieoxo60]

Hello 02Trees, delayed response to old post. It is a frightening article, but I have read similar stories in the news. As they say it is not as rare as we would like to think, including people conning money off suspects for cancer funds then the charity not getting it. This is difficult for people like ourselves to comprehend, like to think no one would fake illness as specially cancer but it happens sadly. And there are some specific illnesses where this type of action is normal for the person concerned and they have no control over it. That's Life hope everyone is as well as can be including yourself, have a good bank holiday.

[O2Trees]

Hi Katie, you're right, there's a lot of con artists around in all fields. But i think what struck me in the article was what may have been happening on our forum, so that was not a money con. We have no way of knowing for certain of course but it is all disturbing. Good wishes for your bank holiday too, take care xx