reactions of others by controlling their own symptoms. Just as kleptomania is often stealing for the thrill of the crime rather than for the stolen item, factitious disorders are often "disease forgery" for the sake of the forgery itself, coupled with the benefits of being ill (attention, sympathy, and lenience from others). In the past 20 years, as the number of reported cases of Munchausen Syndrome increased and doctors had the opportunity to examine and observe some of these patients, researchers added other predisposing factors, including
             • Significant physical illness or abuse as a child
             • Anger against doctors for perceived mistreatment
             • Parents who falsified medical histories or otherwise practiced medical deceit.
             Recent research has also suggested that the very nature of our fast-paced, indifferent society is fostering the fictitious disorders-It just isn't easy to get sympathy, support, and concern in today's world.
             Because of the way illness is perceived in most societies
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