Which disorder involves falsification of symptoms or induction of injury or disease, presenting self to others as ill or impaired, with no external rewards?

• A. Malingering
• B. Somatic Symptom Disorder
• C. Illness Anxiety Disorder
• D. Factitious Disorder

Answer: (D)

The scenario centers on deliberately feigning or inducing symptoms to assume the sick role, driven by an internal need rather than any external gain. This is characteristic of Factitious Disorder, where the person fabricates or worsens symptoms and presents themselves as ill or impaired, with deception and without obvious external rewards.

Malingering involves creating or exaggerating symptoms for tangible external benefits (like money, avoiding work, or obtaining drugs), which is not implied here. Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder revolve around genuine distress or preoccupation with health without the deliberate deception about having an illness. Thus, the best fit is Factitious Disorder.