Are you struggling with the effects of factitious disorder?
Right now, as a result of factitious disorder, you may be experiencing:
- Persistent urges to falsify or exaggerate physical or psychological symptoms despite no obvious external rewards
- Complicated feelings of shame, guilt, or confusion about your behavior that you struggle to understand
- A pattern of seeking medical care across different providers or facilities, often with inconsistent medical histories
- Genuine distress and suffering, regardless of whether your symptoms are intentionally produced
- Difficulty maintaining stable relationships as deception creates barriers to authentic connection
- A sense of identity that has become intertwined with the patient role or medical experiences
- Internal conflict between wanting help and fearing discovery of symptom falsification
Your factitious disorder may be getting in the way of your life in these ways:
- Your physical health is compromised by unnecessary medical procedures or treatments
- Your relationships suffer from patterns of deception that erode trust and intimacy
- Your emotional well-being is affected by shame, isolation, and the burden of maintaining falsehoods
- Your authentic needs for care and connection remain unmet as they’re expressed through illness behaviors
- Your life opportunities are limited by time, energy, and resources devoted to medical seeking
You’re wondering…
- Why do I feel compelled to create or exaggerate symptoms when I don’t consciously want to be sick?
- How can I meet my emotional needs directly rather than through illness behaviors?
- Is recovery possible when the disorder involves behaviors I’m not always conscious of controlling?
- Will healthcare providers ever trust me again if my condition is discovered?
- What underlying emotional wounds might be driving this pattern of behavior?
You’re longing for…
- Authentic ways to receive care, attention, and support without resorting to illness behaviors.
- Freedom from the cycle of deception, medical seeking, and fear of discovery.
- Understanding of the emotional needs and psychological mechanisms driving your behavior.
- Genuine connections with others based on your authentic self rather than a patient identity.
- Self-compassion that acknowledges your real suffering despite the complex nature of your symptoms.
How we can help you.
At Evergreen Counseling, we understand that factitious disorder involves complex psychological mechanisms that aren't simply about "attention seeking" but often relate to early experiences where illness was associated with care or safety. Our therapists create a non-judgmental environment where we can explore the underlying emotional needs that may be expressing themselves through illness behaviors.
What you’re longing for is possible.
By pursuing trauma therapy for factitious disorder, you can imagine the following:
You feel trapped in a cycle of symptom falsification or exaggeration despite the negative consequences.
You recognize early warning signs of the urge to engage in illness behaviors and implement alternative strategies.
Your identity has become intertwined with being ill or receiving medical care.
You identify and express emotional needs directly rather than through medical symptoms or patient roles.
Your authentic emotional needs remain unrecognized or unmet as they're expressed indirectly through illness behaviors.
You develop a more authentic sense of identity beyond being a patient or someone who is ill.
Your relationships are compromised by patterns of deception that prevent genuine connection.
You build relationships based on genuine connection rather than caregiving dynamics.
Your physical health may be at risk from unnecessary medical procedures or treatments.
You experience self-compassion about your condition while taking responsibility for your recovery process.
What if I’m Not Ready?
Not Quite Ready to Book a Complimentary Concierge Matching Call? That’s Okay.
We understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming. We’re here to make this decision easier for you.
Starting therapy can bring up mixed feelings—part of you might be eager, while another part hesitates to confront deeply buried emotions. You might doubt whether therapy can help, especially if you’ve struggled for a long time or had disappointing experiences with untrained therapists or life coaches. At Evergreen Counseling, our trauma-trained therapists are deeply committed to providing expert care.
Here’s How We Can Help You Move Forward
- Complimentary Concierge Matching Call: Our concierge matching call is an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your concerns, and see if our approach feels right for you—without any obligation.
- Reimbursement Options: Concerned about the cost? We can guide you on how to get reimbursed for therapy using your out-of-network insurance benefits, making high-quality care more accessible to you.
- Informed Decision: Whether you’re ready to start or still exploring your options, we want you to feel fully informed and confident in your choice.
