Does anyone belong to illness related discussion forums?
I am writing a research paper on Facticious Disorder (FD) and Facticious Disorder by Proxy (FDP). This is also known as Munchausen Syndrome and Munchausen by Proxy. The people who have this disorder will fake illness(es) to gain attention--the more attention the better. Sometimes these people will actually inject themselves with urine, fecal matter, and the like in order to get sick. Sometimes they just pretend or fake it. They read up on the illnesses and know how to act. Because they actually do get sick in many cases, it is often difficult to distinguish between an illness or disease that is caused naturally and one that is purposely human induced. If it is a "by Proxy" situation, the patient craving the attention will do all these things to a child in their care. The Internet has brought a new place and a creative way for these people to gain attention while being "sick." The problem is these people join these "illness" forums to talk about their illness and gain sympathy. When another member who actually has the illness has a bad day--the person with FD suddenly has a bigger and badder one. He or she contradicts him/herself from previous posts. This means people who acctually needs attention and support usually don't get it. I'll spare you the list of 10 clues and the 14 common reactions among individuals who have misled others.
This is where you come in. I am wanting to know if any of you or someone you know belong to any valid discussion forums that support victims or family of victims who have a specific illness? For example, you may or your friend/family, may belong to a discussion forum for survivors of cancer or lupus, heart disease, and so on.
It is important for me to tell you that the main focus of my paper will not be about the cyber cases of facticious disorder. It will also not about people who have cancer, lupus, and so on. I am trying to get information from moderators--in particular--nurses and doctors--who have seen people who fit the criteria, which I will email to anyone who wants to see them as well as the common reactions (when a person is confronted, it can affect the entire cyber community). Everyone will remain anonymous. I am just interested in data and people's responses and reactions.
So, if any of you or your loved ones belong to a discussion forum that I mentioned above, please PM me. I would rather they not be posted publicly for the risk that they might be abused. Feel free to post questions though. If this is not clear, please let me know. I haven't had any sleep and I'm trying to get this in before the newsletter deadline. I would be satisfied with the opinions and thought of people who run these forums day in and day out. It should be noted that I will NOT be posting on those forums at all. I will get credit where credit is due on my paper too.
