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Guilty or Ill

(61 Posts)
Anniebach Thu 24-Aug-17 15:28:08

A woman has been sentenced to ten year for false claims of rape by 15 men, one man served two years.

She even harmed herself claiming it was caused during the rapes. The judge said she was a liar and attention seeker .
Surely she has has a mental health problem ?

Oriel Sat 26-Aug-17 10:40:45

maryeliza Good point, I should have used worded differently... replace sympathy with empathy.

I don't think she deserves empathy.

mostlyharmless Sat 26-Aug-17 17:59:29

I don't pretend to be an expert on psychiatric disorders but it does sound a bit like Münchausen syndrome as Miss Adventure says. She feigns trauma (rape in this case) to gain attention and sympathy.
It's obviously had a major affect on the lives of many innocent people, but she probably needs a secure psychiatric hospital in order to receive treatment rather than prison.

Oriel Sat 26-Aug-17 18:08:49

No Munchausen's doesn't fit....

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a mental health problem in which a caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury in a person under his or her care, such as a child, an elderly adult, or a person who has a disability. Because vulnerable people are the victims, MSBP is a form of child abuse or elder abuse. (Webmed)

Iam64 Sat 26-Aug-17 18:39:24

Oriel is right, this isn't Munchausen by proxy. It's some kind of personality disorder or personality problem. I absolutely agree that prisoners (and everyone else) need to have their mental health needs met. Many people with PD also have anxiety or depression which is much more easily treated than the underlying personality problems.

mostlyharmless Sat 26-Aug-17 18:58:45

I suggested Münchausen syndrome (not by proxy) : "Münchausen syndrome is a disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves."
From Wikipedia. Wikipedia is not guaranteed to be totally accurate of course.
By proxy is when they cause a child or someone else to have symptoms in order to seek attention themselves, often as a parent.

mostlyharmless Sat 26-Aug-17 19:00:05

You're confusing Münchausen's with Münchausen by proxy.

Iam64 Sat 26-Aug-17 19:33:04

Yes M syndrome, not by proxy does sound more suitable as a possible diagnosis than MBP.

Oriel Tue 29-Aug-17 16:25:54

Yes, but whether by proxy or not it is feigning illness or trauma to gain sympathy. That is not what she did she accused a number of men of raping her. Quite different!

Iam64 Tue 29-Aug-17 19:20:30

Oriel, the point you make resonates with me. I sympathise with individuals who have personality problems or disorders but the impact those individuals have on their loved ones, never mind those in their target range defies description. I don't wish to sound harsh because I realise how tough life is for those with personality problems or disorders but the effect they have on those how love them, or those who fall for their charms is never good.

lemongrove Tue 29-Aug-17 21:36:40

A strange case indeed.Why did the police not realise that she had made the very same kind of claims many times?
What evidence I wonder, for the man to be jailed in the first place, if a made up crime? Something very wrong, both with her and also the police inquiries.