Factitious Disorder DSM-5 Criteria

Malingering involves the intentional production of false psychological or physical symptoms for external rewards, such as financial gain or avoiding work, while factitious disorder involves falsification of symptoms without obvious external incentives.

Assessment involves a thorough clinical evaluation, review of medical history, behavioral observations, psychological assessments, and differentiation from other conditions such as malingering or somatic symptom disorders.

Previously, DSM-IV identified three subtypes based on physical or psychological symptoms. However, DSM-5 recognizes two types: factitious disorder imposed on self and factitious disorder imposed on another.