Concepções de profissionais da psicologia e da medicina acerca da síndrome de Munchausen e sua variação.

Abstract

Munchausen syndrome is considered a psychopathology in which patients report false information about their own clinical health condition and, as a consequence, undergo unnecessary treatments and medical examinations. Its variation, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) occurs when an adult usually the mother simulates or induces symptoms of illness in a third party, typically a child or a dependent person, and is thus regarded as a form of abuse. Given the scarcity of epidemiological data, the difficulty in identifying cases, and the inconsistencies in legal approaches, this study aimed to investigate the perceptions of psychology and medical professionals regarding Munchausen Syndrome and its variation, and how these perceptions relate to practices of identification, prevention, and intervention within the field of mental health. A total of 36 professionals participated in the study. They were selected using the snowball sampling method proposed by Vinuto and agreed to take part in the research upon signing the Free and Informed Consent Form. The study adopted the which was used to construct Association Trees. As a theoretical framework, the study drew on social, cultural, and historical dynamics, as well as on the contributions of Aulagnier and Badinter, who reflect on the myth of maternal love. Four thematic axes emerged from the analyses: investigation and intervention in Munchausen Syndrome; intervention, protection, and management in Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy; characteristics of those who should care the perverse facet of love; and concerns regarding MS/MSBP. Based on these findings, the is characterized as a therapeutic tool aimed at collecting clinical and anamnesis information directly from the child, with the goal of identifying possible signs of violence. It is hoped that this study contributes to the development of clinical practices and public policies focused on the prevention and intervention in contexts of violence and psychological suffering.