The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), which is the standard reference book for recognized mental illnesses in the United States, organizes factitious disorders into four main types:

Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms —

As the description implies, people with this disorder mimic behavior that is typical of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia. They may appear confused, make absurd statements and report hallucinations (the experience of sensing things that are not there; for example, hearing voices). Ganser syndrome, sometimes called prison psychosis, is a factitious disorder that was first observed in prisoners. People with Ganser syndrome have short-term episodes of bizarre behavior similar to that shown by people with serious mental illnesses.

Factitious disorder with mostly physical symptoms —

People with this disorder claim to have symptoms related to a physical illness, symptoms such as chest pain, stomach problems or fever. This disorder issometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome, named for Baron von Munchausen, an 18^th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences. NOTE: Although Munchausen syndrome most properly refers to a factitious disorder with physical symptoms, the term is sometimes used to refer to factitious disorders in general.

Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms —

People with this disorder report symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

Factitious disorder not otherwise specified —

This type includes a disorder called factitious disorder by proxy (also called Munchausen syndrome by proxy). People with this disorder produce or fabricate symptoms of illness in another person under their care. It most often occurs in mothers (although it can occur in fathers) who intentionally harm their children in order to receive attention.

src: http://www.clevelandclinic.org

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