Question

A patient who is not malingering but is believed to be producing the symptoms and signs of confusion or dementia involuntarily or unconsciously and believes that the symptoms are real is thought to have which one of the following conditions?

A. Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)
B. Ganser's syndrome
C. Capgras syndrome
D. Illness anxiety disorder
E. Folie-à-deux

Answer 1

The condition described is illness anxiety disorder, where physical symptoms are produced involuntarily and unconsciously.

Step-by-step explanation:

The condition described where a patient produces symptoms and signs of confusion or dementia involuntarily or unconsciously, and believes that the symptoms are real, is known as illness anxiety disorder (option D). Illness anxiety disorder, also known as hypochondriasis, is a psychiatric condition where individuals have excessive worry about having a serious illness, despite having no or mild medical findings. They may experience physical symptoms and seek medical attention frequently, believing that their symptoms are real and indicating a serious illness. However, these symptoms are not intentionally produced or consciously malingering.