Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Doctors React Immediately When They Get A Secret Note From 15YO Calling Out Her Mom’s Lies
Teen holding cough syrup, wrapped in a warm scarf, feeling sick and tired of frequent hospital visits

Doctors React Immediately When They Get A Secret Note From 15YO Calling Out Her Mom’s Lies

72

ADVERTISEMENT

Imagine spending five years in and out of doctors’ surgeries and hospitals because your mom is convinced you have various disorders and diseases. Constantly on medication, or having tests run, with little chance for a normal life.

That’s the reality for one 15-year-old who has been diagnosed with several health conditions since she was 10. All because her mother lied to doctors about her symptoms. The teen recently anonymously reached out to medical professionals online, begging for help.

Concerned doctors advised her she might be dealing with something more serious than she realizes. Many urged her to tell someone. And that’s exactly what she did…

RELATED:

    A teen has spent the past 5 years being treated for a range of conditions, all because her mother lied to doctors

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

    After anonymously pleading for help online, her life has now taken a drastic turn

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: gstockstudio / freepik (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Public-Kangaroo-6867

    Online doctors had questions and the teen provided some more info

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    The teenager revealed that she’d snuck a note to a nurse “outing” her Münchhausen mom

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

    Image credits: Public-Kangaroo-6867

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Munchausen syndrome: Oh yes, I’m the great pretender!

    Many of the doctors mentioned Munchausen syndrome when responding to the teen. If you’re not familiar with the term, it is a psychological condition where someone pretends to be ill or deliberately produces symptoms of illness in themselves.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    They aren’t faking it to get any practical benefits, like a government subsidy, but rather to entice people to care for them so that they become the center of attention.

    The syndrome can manifest in various ways. The person might pretend to have psychological symptoms, like hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there. Or they might fake physical symptoms like chest pain, headaches, nausea or stomach aches.

    The person could even take it a step further and actively make themselves sick, or try to do so. Perhaps they eat something that they know will have an adverse reaction, or they deliberately infect a small cut or wound.

    Some of those with Munchausen syndrome will go to great lengths to keep up appearances. They’ll be in and out of different hospitals, faking illnesses and seeking treatment (read: attention). If they’re accused of lying, they might go to another hospital, or even area, to get a “second opinion.” Or make up a new illness.

    It goes without saying that those with the syndrome can be extremely manipulative.

    In the case of the teen, many doctors believed her mom has Munchausen syndrome. This would mean the the 15-year-old possibly has Munchausen syndrome by proxy. This is when the syndrome is imposed on her by someone else, in this situation, her mom.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    So what causes Munchausen syndrome? Experts believe it could be the result of various things. Perhaps the person had emotional trauma or illness during childhood, and they were might have been in and out of hospital when they were young. 

    Others could have a personality disorder that leads to abnormal thinking and behaviour. There are those who act out because they hold a grudge against authority figures or healthcare professionals.

    And finally, some of those with Munchausen may have been neglected and/or abandoned by a parent, or suffered other childhood trauma.

    People praised the teen for the way she’d handled the situation

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Robyn is an award-winning journalist who has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is obsessed with travel and the allure of new places. A lover of words and visuals, Robyn is part of the Bored Panda writing team. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa & the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Read less »
    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Robyn is an award-winning journalist who has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is obsessed with travel and the allure of new places. A lover of words and visuals, Robyn is part of the Bored Panda writing team. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa & the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    Read less »

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    What do you think ?
    Motivated sloth
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish someone had told her, YES, the hospitalization and nurse in her room were absolutely there to keep an eye on her and her mom. I don’t think she realized how much potential danger she was in, regardless of her mother’s motivations or beliefs. Love to read a story with a happy ending though!

    Premislaus de Colo
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a parent of two daughters battling anorexia - if this girl does not get help she'll end up with this terrible disease :(

    Another Panda
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s what i thought when she mentioned she was intentionally eating less, because it was something she could control. I hope she has mentioned it to the doctors.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Annabelle
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, that takes so much courage. I can't imagine how terrified OP must've been that first visit with the secret note. Glad it sounds like things are starting to work better for them.

    Load More Comments
    Motivated sloth
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish someone had told her, YES, the hospitalization and nurse in her room were absolutely there to keep an eye on her and her mom. I don’t think she realized how much potential danger she was in, regardless of her mother’s motivations or beliefs. Love to read a story with a happy ending though!

    Premislaus de Colo
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a parent of two daughters battling anorexia - if this girl does not get help she'll end up with this terrible disease :(

    Another Panda
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s what i thought when she mentioned she was intentionally eating less, because it was something she could control. I hope she has mentioned it to the doctors.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Annabelle
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, that takes so much courage. I can't imagine how terrified OP must've been that first visit with the secret note. Glad it sounds like things are starting to work better for them.

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT