What disorder involves deliberately imposing harm on oneself for the purpose of assuming the sick role?

The disorder characterized by the deliberate infliction of harm on oneself to adopt the sick role is known as factitious disorder. Individuals with this condition intentionally produce or feign physical or psychological symptoms. Their primary motivation is to take on the role of a patient and receive medical attention and care. Unlike malingering, where the individual is motivated by external incentives such as financial gain or avoidance of responsibilities, factitious disorder reflects an internal psychological need to be seen as ill.

In contrast, conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms that are inconsistent with medical conditions but are not consciously produced; therefore, patients do not intentionally harm themselves or fabricate symptoms for personal gain. Somatic symptom disorder is marked by physical symptoms causing distress but does not involve the intentional manipulation of one’s health status. Malingering, as previously mentioned, is driven by external motivations, which distinguishes it from the self-induced nature of symptoms seen in factitious disorder.