Symptoms are intentional, motivation is unconscious.

Patient consciously creates physical and/or psychological symptoms in order to assume "sick role" and to get medical attention and sympathy (1˚ [internal] gain).

Factitious disorder imposed on self: Also known as Munchausen syndrome. Chronic factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and symptoms. Characterized by a history of multiple hospital admissions and willingness to undergo invasive procedures. More common in women and healthcare workers.

Factitious disorder imposed on another: Also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Illness in a child or elderly patient is caused or fabricated by the caregiver. Motivation is to assume a sick role by proxy. Form of child/elder abuse.