factitious disorder

Factitious disorder is a psychological condition where individuals intentionally feign, exaggerate, or induce symptoms of illness or injury in themselves or others. Unlike malingering, where symptoms are faked for external gain (like avoiding work), those with factitious disorder produce symptoms for unconscious psychological reasons, even though the actions are voluntary.12

This behavior can involve self-harm, ingesting substances to create symptoms, tampering with medical records, or contaminating samples. When directed at oneself, it's known as factitious disorder imposed on self (formerly Munchausen syndrome). When directed at another, usually a child, it's factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly Munchausen syndrome by proxy). These disorders indicate a significant psychological disturbance.12