Which statement describes Factitious Disorder?

• A. Intentional faking without obvious external gain to assume the sick role.
• B. Intentional production of symptoms to obtain financial compensation.
• C. Real medical illness intentionally hidden.
• D. Illness anxiety with minimal symptoms.

Answer: (A)

Factitious Disorder is defined by intentionally producing or feigning symptoms to assume the sick role, without obvious external incentives. The motivation is to be cared for and regarded as ill, not to gain money, time off, or other tangible rewards. This distinction is what makes the described statement the best fit: deliberate faking with no clear external gain in order to be treated as ill. By contrast, malingering involves external rewards, illness anxiety involves worry about illness with few or no symptoms, and hiding a real illness does not involve feigning symptoms.