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Causes of Munchausen’s syndrome

The causes of Munchausen's syndrome and FII are not fully known.

Munchausen's syndrome is associated with severe emotional difficulties. Commonly, there is a history of an unhappy, unloving childhood often with emotional and physical abuse.

Those responsible for FII have also commonly had an emotionally deprived childhood, often with a history of physical abuse. They often have complex medical histories, including psychiatric problems.

For people with psychiatric illness or who are very unhappy, hospital is seen as a safe environment or a way to escape from everyday life.

These conditions are also often seen as attention seeking behaviours.

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