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Warning-sign checks

Factitious disorder by proxy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if someone has trouble breathing, becomes unconscious, has a seizure, may have been poisoned, has a serious unexplained injury, or appears to be in immediate danger.

    If you suspect a child or dependent adult is being made ill but there is no immediate emergency, contact an appropriate child-protection or adult-safeguarding service.

    You can also tell a healthcare professional, social worker, teacher, or police service.

    Describe specific events, statements, or records rather than trying to assign a diagnosis.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Seek routine medical follow-up when there are concerns about unnecessary medicines, conflicting diagnoses, repeated unexplained symptoms, or care spread across many services.

    A coordinated review can check what treatment is still needed while safeguarding concerns are assessed.

The article also says

Avoid confronting the suspected person if doing so could increase danger, lead to evidence being destroyed, or cause the affected person to be removed from care.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Factitious disorder by proxy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.