Patomimi - selvfrembragte somatiske lidelser

The residual diagnosis from DSM-III: Atypical Factitious Disorder with Physical Symptoms is described. It is seen in non-psychotic patients with normal intelligence. The patients deny that their injuries are self-inflicted. The syndrome is different from simulation and from Munchhausen's syndrome. Pathomimic patients are involuntarily addicted to the pain experience, which might have an integrative function to the patient. It is important to be aware of unexplained, relapsing somatic symptoms, so that pathomimia can be discovered as early as possible. Self-mutilation might be a sign of major family problems and seemingly is seen in patients with different latent psychiatric disorders. Treatment is difficult and it is still not possible to point to one treatment of choice.