Munchausen’s by Internet: Faking Illness Online

Munchausen by Internet takes this concept to the realm of cyberspace, to blogging communities, social networking sites and message boards. Using different names and accounts and they can even sign on to one group as a stricken patient, his/her frantic mother, and his/her distraught son all to make the ruse utterly convincing. Fabricated reports of stalking, assault, harassment, and have been described in which the motive for the deceptions was mobilization of care and concern, and this manifestation has moved onto the Internet as well. These claims often include elements of pseudologia fantastica, in which one lies floridly about one's personal history, but in a manner that remains compelling. This is some of the stuff I've been reading about this illness. I can go on and on about this disorder but there is so much information on this it's scary. I can't believe how sick this is and I'm sad for the person who feels they have to do this over the Internet. I always felt I had to be myself online. Maybe I'm an honest person who believes if I lie and cheat I'll be judged by God. Back in 1998 I started going online to Yahoo Chat rooms and I was an online virgin as I put it. I didn't know a whole lot of the online community so I made an online name but when I started talking to people I didn't give out my life story or real name but when I met more people I did give out the basic details about myself. Why would I lie about the little things? But some people feel like they have to be someone different then whom they really are. I've seen a lot of crazy things online for 10 years now but I never have experienced this disease in particular until recently. I don't know what to believe about this because of course you don't want to believe someone can manipulate masses of people, cause blog wars and then find out it was all a fun game for a sick person. It's just sad. The exploitation of others, lack of empathy, perpetrating a general con against supportive individuals, etc. I'm not typically a suspicious person, but these articles make me realize that it's always necessary to have one's guard up from now on. I think I will stick to Facebook and maybe lurk here and there :) Take care blogworld!