Does anyone really feign illness to get out of something?

There are plenty of hypochondriacs around but I don’t think King Charles is one of them. What is far worse is those who pretend their children are ill when they are not - I think it is called Münchausen syndrome.

I think it's now called "Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another"

(or "Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self" if on oneself), Nanna8

Thanks for that info- it is a very nasty thing. I have come across it a couple of times ( not within our family, thank goodness ) . Devastating to the youngsters involved.

It's Munchausen by Proxy nanna; Munchausen is feigning illness of one's self for attention.

When has this happened? If the OP is right why is Charles about to travel to the USA.

He is 77, an age when most people have health problems of some kind, plus the loss of stamina and tendency to get tired more easily than younger people which is common to everyone that age.

He hardly needs to pretend to be ill, and I do not think he does.

I have, on occasion, used migraine as an excuse for pulling out of some event, usually when I am feeling under the weather but have nothing specific.

As NotSpaghetti states above the medical terminology has changed to FDIA.
Also known as FII
Fabricated or Induced Illness.

I think you may find that the DWP is forever prosecuting benefit fraudsters who fake illness ie:bad backs, unable to even get out of bed, can barely lift a teacup, etc, etc.

Then they get caught out by stupidly and blatantly posting videos of themselves skiing, zip-wiring, playing golf, rock climbing or whatever on social media while on holiday.

But that is simply fraud.
FDIA/S or FII is a psychological disorder where the primary motivation is to be the centre of medical attention.
To big up one's importance by presenting as an interesting or rare case. A kind of feigned victimhood to garner sympathy and frequent medical interventions.
There may be elements of financial fraud too but that is ancillary to the main driving force in FDIA or FII.
Simple benefit or insurance fraud is much more common than FDIA/FII.

My sister in law fakes migraines all the time when she doesn't want to go somewhere, wants to leave early or wants attention. One day she will be really ill and nobody will believe her.

I didn't think that there was any question at the moment that King Charles is not not going to America owing to illness or for any other reason. What is the source of the 'several comments?'
My understanding was that KC's cancer is very real and has been reported for some time.

My own feelings are that anything that improves our relationship with Trump, however distasteful, is to our advantage in the current situation. It is easier to please a fool than tease a fool.

Leaving KC out of it, yes, I know several people who are mysteriously 'under the weather' when they don't fancy going somewhere. I've also known several different people who would develop colds or non-specific gastrointestinal problems when something at work was likely to prove stressful. When younger, people would say their child was looking a bit pale or felt a bit hot to get out of things they didn't want to do.

I'd say it is a widespread thing, and has been going on for decades (or longer - I can't look back over centuries ). I really dislike it, as I think that at work people should all do what they are paid to do, and socially the time to pull out of an arrangement is when you are invited. When you have accepted an invitation you honour it unless it is impossible not to.

The mention of Munchausen’s has made me think of 50 years ago when I was a nurse on the surgical ward. Back in the day when the hospital matron made unannounced ward visits and the nurse in charge had to walk her round the ward and give her details of every patient.

I was in the middle of escorting her round and realised she was distracted and focusing on a patient on the other side of the ward. Then said excuse me a moment and she went to the bedside of the woman who was groaning in acute pain and awaiting the arrival of the theatre trolley in a few minutes.

Matron stooped over and had a whispered conversation with the woman who then leapt out of bed, hurriedly dressed and left.

Matron had recognised her from the previous hospital where she worked. The woman had feigned serious illness many times which had resulted in abdominal surgeries because her symptoms were so convincing. She managed to move around several hospitals in the country before it came to light.

I think having cancer is a good enough reason to get out of things, even if you are the King

and as you all know I am a really big fan of the Royal family

The OP is joking, seriously if you believe that you are badly inexperienced.

Making excuses to get out of work is rife, favourite now is depression, mental illness, bad back, go to the doctor get signed off without question, its routine HR has to cope with it

They certainly do exist. My ex sister in law was one such.
I was aware of it through my ex husband but the first time I witnessed it was the day of the moon landing.
All sitting there glued to the screen when lo and behold she threw herself on the floor screaming that her knee had fallen out of its socket. All attention on her.
On my wedding day she claimed that her tampax was stuck and the string broken. Naturally her father had to take her to hospital. In later life she bought herself a wheelchair.
When she was in her late teens she had so many hospital appointments her parents were told that she should see a psychiatrist

I don’t have to pretend, unfortunately. My once busy social life is practically nonexistent now.

Petra- I could have written your post about previously mentioned SIL. Migraines always came on at weddings, christenings, funerals, special birthdays etc... She just cannot bear someone else (even the deceased) getting more attention than her. She also uses so called migraines to her advantage. She has to be upgraded to a better seat, table, cabin, hotel room etc... for the good of her health. She also had lots of time of work because of her migraines but then would happily drive off to Meadowhall or similar shopping. I have thankfully only had 2 migraines in my life and they debilitated me for 24 hours and I truly feel sorry for anyone who suffers regularly. I therefore find it in very poor taste for someone to fake them regularly.

Diarrhoea is a good social excuse that hurts nobody's feelings or pocket.

I was pondering on this and frankly thought that the Kings’ recent health issues would have been a “perfect” reason to “postpone”the USA visit.

Granmarderby10

I was pondering on this and frankly thought that the Kings’ recent health issues would have been a “perfect” reason to “postpone”the USA visit.

I agree. However it 's to King Charles'credit that he does his duty even when he is tired and not very well.

I think some have misread the OP.

It was posters on Gransnet who were suggesting King Charles should use illness as an excuse for not going to the USA for the celebrations, not the Palace.

Of course he will not do that.

I'd feel I was tempting fate too.

I have been seriously ill twice in my adult life and once as a child.
As a result I would never feign an illness, it’s will bring about bad Katma I’m sure!

I do however have a SIL who used to do it all the time, she was a nurse and was eventually “let go” as a result.

I also have a friend who has done despicable things re her health to avoid having to do anything.
I am not going to tell you what as it could expose her but you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway!

Sago I would believe you because SIL has done the same. As previously mentioned I think it's in poor taste and I would worry about karma. I don't think KC will fake illness.

Allira

I think some have misread the OP.

It was posters on Gransnet who were suggesting King Charles should use illness as an excuse for not going to the USA for the celebrations, not the Palace.

Of course he will not do that.

I'd feel I was tempting fate too.

Thank you.

At least 3 or 4 posts on GN.
Sorry I wasn't 100%clear at 3.48 am.
I can't quote them now as examples because I'm at Gatwick waiting for my driver who is delayed.

Been held up big accident onM23.