Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on Factitious Disorders by Proxy; one of the most insidious forms of child abuse known to practitioners. It provides a description of the disorder and its place relative to other similar disorders. The epidemiology and course of the disorder are examined and the symptoms by which it may be recognised are identified. A case study illustrates the main features of this disorder and demonstrates how easy it is for practitioners to be misled by the abuser. Finally, the paper examines the prospect for successful intervention and details the criteria that are associated with success.