UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP- Dr. Jose G.
Tamayo Medical University
Sto. Niño, City of Biñan, Laguna
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Kurt Ivan Emmanuel M. Caguimbal
N3A
There's an unique and sophisticated form of deception identified as Munchausen By Proxy Syndrome
(MBPS). This occurs when a caretaker - often a parent or guardian - manufactures or purposefully incites
an illness or injury in someone they care for - usually a child. The name MBPS originates from the
mythical Baron von Munchausen and represents a method of storytelling and exaggeration that brings
dire consequences for its victim. This article strives to explore the characteristics of MBPS, the
psychological mechanisms that support it, the criteria for diagnosis, and the challenges in detecting and
addressing it.
This behavior is designed to produce a patient who can be recognized and treated. It is an extreme form of
factitious illness and it is generally recognized as being on the same spectrum as abuse that involves
children being purposefully physically or emotionally harmed. The abuse can occur in many different
relationships; it is sometimes referred to as "medical child abuse" if it occurs in the parent-child
relationship, but it can also occur in the caregiving relationship for vulnerable adults. This behavior is
designed to produce a patient who can be recognized and treated. It is an extreme form of factitious
illness and it is generally recognized as being on the same spectrum as abuse that involves children being
purposefully physically or emotionally harmed. The abuse can occur in many different relationships; it is
sometimes referred to as "medical child abuse" if it occurs in the parent-child relationship, but it can also
occur in the caregiving relationship for vulnerable adults. (Bouchalta et al., 2022) (Glaser, 2020)
According to Ketler (2023), Dee Dee Blanchard portrayed an image of pure maternal devotion,
profoundly focusing on her young child Gypsy Rose, who, according to her, suffered from a wide range
of health issues such as serious dystrophy, epilepsy, and leukemia. Using clever strategies and a masterful
depiction of a caretaker, Dee succeeded in fooling her family, healthcare specialists, charitable
organizations, and the wider public. Gypsy Rose seemed to be an unfortunate casualty of her debilitating
health condition, depending on her mom for aid and bound to a wheelchair.
In addition Dee Dee Blanchard presented herself as the embodiment of motherly love, passionately caring
for her daughter, Gypsy Rose. She asserted her child was grappling with numerous health conditions like
leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and epilepsy. Blanchard's skilled manipulation and convincing portrayal
of a dedicated mother didn't only trick her relatives but managed to deceive medical professionals,
charities, and the community at large. Gypsy Rose, attached to a wheelchair and relying heavily on her
mother for support, seemed to be a helpless victim of her debilitating conditions
Also, Gypsy Rose Blanchard's tale and her mother's highlights the threats of unchecked authority and
oppression. It points out the importance of communicating authoritatively, obtaining independent
verifications, and being alert to the indicators of manipulative dominance. The narrative further sheds
light on the essentiality of sympathy and assistance for victims navigating their recovery path through the
knotty process of recuperation after experiencing maltreatment and harm.
References:
Author links open overlay panelM. Bouchalta a, a, b, SummaryThe Münchhausen syndrome by proxy is a
psychological disorder in which an abusive adult who wishes to play the sick character through a child, RésuméLe
syndrome de Münchhausen par procuration est un trouble psychologique dans lequel un adulte violent qui souhaite
incarner le personnage malade à travers un enfant, Bass, C., Asher, R., Morrell, B., Yates, G., Heuzey, M. F. L.,
Auxéméry, Y., Sheridan, M. S., Morville, A., & Schreier, H. (2022, June 11). The medical examiner and the
diagnosis and management of münchhausen syndrome by proxy: About One case. La Revue de Médecine Légale.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878652922000281
Author links open overlay panelDanya Glaser, AbstractBackgroundIn fabricated or induced illness (FII), Bass, C.,
Brown, A. N., Feldman, M. D., Fujiwara, T., Gray, J., Libow, J., McCulloch, V., Meadow, R., Morrell, B., Petska,
H. W., Rosenberg, D., Sheridan, M. S., Yates, G., Al-Haidar, F. A., Bursch, B., Crumm, C., & Davis, P. (2020,
August 14). Fabricated or induced illness: From “munchausen by proxy” to child and family-oriented action. Child
Abuse & Neglect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0145213420303045
Kettler, S. (2024, January 25). The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother. Biography.
https://www.biography.com/crime/gypsy-rose-blanchard-mother-dee-dee-murder
