Factitious Disorder by Proxy: Understanding Child Abuse

Yes, factitious disorder by proxy is a form of child abuse. It is a mental health problem in which a caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury in a person under his or her care, such as a child, an elderly adult, or a person who has a disability. Because the victim is usually a child, this syndrome is also known as "fabricated or induced illness by caregivers" (FII).