What behavior is indicative of Factitious Disorder?

The behavior indicative of Factitious Disorder is the deliberate falsification of symptoms. Individuals with this disorder intentionally produce, feign, or exaggerate physical or psychological symptoms to assume the role of a sick person. This behavior is often driven by a need for attention, sympathy, or emotional support, which distinguishes it from other disorders where symptoms may occur due to genuine health issues or psychological distress.

Factitious Disorder involves a conscious effort to manipulate one's health status, which is not seen in conditions like eating disorders, where behaviors may arise from different motivations such as a desire to control body image or cope with underlying emotional issues. Similarly, fear of weight gain pertains more to anxiety and body image issues rather than the production of symptoms for deceitful purposes. Somatic symptom exaggeration can occur in various contexts, but it doesn't necessarily imply the intentional manipulation associated with Factitious Disorder. Thus, the key characteristic remains the conscious and deliberate nature of symptom fabrication.