Dermatitis artefacta

Abstract

Factitious Disorders are self-inflicted skin lesions and includes the creation of physical or psychiatric symptoms in oneself or other reference persons. In dermatology, frequently there are mechanical injuries by pressures, friction, occlusion, biting, cutting, stabbing, thermal burns or self-inflicted infections with wound-healing impairment, abscesses, mutilations or damages by acids, and other toxic to the skin. The current classification differentiates between four groups: (1) Dermatitis artefacta syndrome in the narrower sense as unconscious/dissociated self-injury, (2) Dermatitis paraartefacta syndrome: Disorders of impulse control, often as manipulation of an existing specific dermatosis (often semiconscious, admitted - self-injury), (3) Malingering: consciously simulated injuries and diseases to obtain material gain, (4) special forms, such as the Gardner-Diamond Syndrome, Münchhausen Syndrome and Münchhausen-by-Proxy Syndrome. This categorization is helpful in understanding the different pathogenic mechanisms and the psychodynamics involved, as well as in developing various therapeutic avenues and determining the prognosis.