Do I Suffer From Malingering?

Do you intentionally produce false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms, motivated by external incentives (e.g., avoiding military duty, avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, evading criminal prosecution or obtaining drugs)? Note: Under some circumstances, malingering may represent adaptive behavior—for example, feigning illness while a captive of the enemy during wartime.

Is there a medicolegal context of presentation (e.g., you are referred by an attorney to the clinician for examination or you self-refer while litigation or criminal charges are pending)?

Do you show a marked discrepancy between your claimed stress or disability and the objective findings and observations?

Do you show a lack of cooperation during the diagnostic evaluation and in complying with the prescribed treatment regimen?

Do you suffer from antisocial personality disorder?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you suffer from malingering.

While it is unlikely that you suffer from malingering, you are displaying one or more signs related to it. It may be important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Malingering can be described as the production of false or grossly exaggerated symptoms with the goal to receive a reward. Malingering is not a psychiatric disorder, but it can lead to abuse of the medical system. For example, the person may want to do unnecessary tests and take precious time away from other patients who really need it.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who suffer from malingering. It is important to discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor will conduct a thorough interview to understand if you are malingering or not. In case malingering is suspected, the doctor will try to find out what the reasons are for your behavior. Your doctor may also do a psychological evaluation to determine if you have responded honestly to the questions or not. Malingering is not a psychiatric disorder, but it can lead to abuse of the medical system.