ABSTRACT
Being falsely accused can have devastating consequences, whether the accusation is of telling a lie, committing a crime, or having FD. Chapter 9 demonstrates that there can be profound and long-lasting consequences from FD misdiagnoses, including a lack of necessary care for medical and psychological ailments. There can also be guilt and shame for those who initially did not believe the patient. This situation is poignantly demonstrated through the case of Mark, who died shortly after his admission to the hospital, when nurses erroneously concluded that he was faking his ailments. The nurses placed him at the bottom of their list of priorities; upon his death from encephalitis, they were haunted by their behavior. In another example, Joan was denied the care she needed for endometriosis because a medical professional had written in her records that he suspected she had Munchausen syndrome. Chapter 9 shows the importance of truly treating the patient, and not dismissing someone because of pre-existing labels. False accusations of MBP have led to the removal of children from their parents, and ways to avoid this outcome are presented.
