Malingering

Malingering is characterized by the intentional falsification or misrepresentation of physical or psychological symptoms to obtain an obvious external reward (eg, money, time off from work, medications, housing).  Malingering involves deliberate behaviors that are meant to deceive others for secondary gain; it is not considered a mental illness.

The prevalence of malingering is difficult to estimate due to the deceptive nature of the behaviors, which likely contributes to undetected cases and underreporting.  Individuals involved in criminal and civil legal proceedings as well as patients with chronic pain receiving financial benefits appear to have higher prevalence rates.

Underlying motivations may include poor coping ability regarding significant life stressors, resulting in deception to obtain basic needs (eg, food, shelter); exaggeration of a co-occurring psychiatric or medical condition to control how the individual experiences illness; and a means of reducing legal consequences.