Faking illness online for sympathy and attention.

[Nagel]

There's an interesting article in the Guardian about people who use online forums and pretend to have illnesses and problems just to gain sympathy and attention. A kind of Münchhausen's Syndrome by Internet.

 

I've sometimes had my suspicions that happens on this forum, but give people the benefit of the doubt, but I definitely know of it happening on another forum I once used.

 

Article here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/26/faking-illness-online-munchausen

[medusa]

The really horrid side of this sort of thing happening is that those who really do have an illness or disability are then not believed and are ridiculed or shunned, when they really haven't merited that sort of treatment.

[Rampent]

There's an interesting article in the Guardian about people who use online forums and pretend to have illnesses and problems just to gain sympathy and attention. A kind of Münchhausen's Syndrome by Internet.

 

I've sometimes had my suspicions that happens on this forum, but give people the benefit of the doubt, but I definitely know of it happening on another forum I once used.

 

Article here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/26/faking-illness-online-munchausen

 

I can think of one certain 'member' on here, that fits the above like a glove

[Digsy]

I don't think it is just faking illness's that people get up to, they'll fake their wealth, status, and many other things.

 

Don't really see the point in it, as soon as people find out what your up to they're generally quick to jump on you for it.

 

Example.

 

Google Man Gives His Nephew An Old School Azz Whoopin. (for adults only).

[Digsy]

The really horrid side of this sort of thing happening is that those who really do have an illness or disability are then not believed and are ridiculed or shunned, when they really haven't merited that sort of treatment.

 

Couldn't agree more.

[Nagel]

This comment on the article was funny:

 

I wonder if there's a 'Münchausen by internet' online support group for sufferers of this awful condition?

 

What would happen if someone faked it on such a forum? Would the other genuine sufferers be annoyed at the fake imposter in their midst?

 

How would someone suffering from 'Münchausen by internet' know whether they really were genuinely suffering from Münchausen syndrome or just deluding themselves into thinking they had the condition after reading the symptoms list somewhere on the internet?

[Nagel]

The really horrid side of this sort of thing happening is that those who really do have an illness or disability are then not believed and are ridiculed or shunned, when they really haven't merited that sort of treatment.

 

I think it's worse for those who are taken in and offer sympathy.

 

The example I know of was on a private forum for bereaved parents where an imposter got in and was offered every sympathy before being found out and ejected. She became the object of much hatred from those she had taken in.

[Mecky]

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=735395

[spikey123]

Is it really necessary to come onto an internet forum to gain sympathy and attention even if it's a real illness you have?

I understand mentioning it if something is related, but to be trying to gain sympathy and attention for an illness from strangers seems a little odd to me.

[harvey19]

The really horrid side of this sort of thing happening is that those who really do have an illness or disability are then not believed and are ridiculed or shunned, when they really haven't merited that sort of treatment.

I agree with you entirely.