Navigating Concerns of Factitious Disorder: When High Conflict Distorts Perceptions

Navigating Factitious Disorder and Child Custody Disputes
In this informative episode, Bill and Megan explore the complicated intersection of factitious disorder, child custody disputes, and high conflict personalities.

Bill and Megan start by explaining what factitious disorder is, how it manifests, and its implications in child custody cases. They share insights from their experience in family law and high conflict disputes.

Key topics covered include:

• The shift in terminology from Munchausen syndrome to factitious disorder and what this change signifies
• Prevalence data showing these disorders are rare but have severe impacts when present
• How factitious disorders often involve misperceptions and disagreements about a child's health/medical needs
• The role of personality disorders and their distorted perceptions in driving conflict
• Strategies for navigating these disputes like seeking multiple professional opinions and getting courts involve
• How to appropriately communicate concerns to healthcare providers without biasing their perspective
• The risks of improperly questioning or influencing children directly

Questions we answer in this episode:

• What is factitious disorder and how is it relevant in child custody cases?
• What tips can help address concerns about a child's health in a constructive manner?
• How do personality disorders relate to conflict around children's health?
• When is it appropriate to involve the legal system in disputes about a child's care?
• What are the risks of discussing health concerns directly with your child?

Key Takeaways:

• Factitious disorders are rare but can severely impact child custody cases when present
• Seeking multiple professional opinions can help determine if concerns are valid
• Personality disorders often involve distorted perceptions driving conflict
• Legal interventions may be needed to protect children from excessive medical testing
• Never interrogate or influence children directly about suspected disorders

This practical episode offers guidance for any parents or family members concerned about potential factitious disorders and child health conflicts. Bill and Megan share their expertise to help listeners thoughtfully and safely address these challenging situations.

Links & Other Notes

• BOOKS
  • Don’t Alienate the Kids: Raising Resilient Children While Avoiding High-Conflict Divorce
• COURSES/VIDEOS
  • Erasing Family Documentary with Resistance/Refusal Commentary from Bill Eddy
  • Resistance, Refusal and the Child’s Brain
• PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
  • New Ways for Families
    • For Counselors- training specifically for counselors to learn the New Ways for Families method to use in high-conflict cases, including those with resistance/refusal
    • For Coaches: training specifically for divorce and co-parenting coaches to learn the New Ways for Families method to use in high-conflict cases or in any case
• Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/
• Submit a Question for Bill and Megan
• All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.
• You can also find these show notes at our site as well.

Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
• (00:35) - Factitious Order by Proxy
• (01:18) - What Is It?
• (05:52) - How to Intervene?
• (10:33) - Patterns
• (11:52) - Histrionic
• (17:08) - Speaking with Medical Professionals
• (21:11) - Discuss with the Child?
• (24:09) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Marriage and Women's Thoughts About It

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