Psychogenic “HIV Infection”

Abstract

The case of a man who falsely represented himself as being HIV positive is reported. In less than one year he was admitted twice with symptoms suggestive of HIV infection. The diagnoses malingering and factitious disorder were consecutively made. Early recognition of Factitious Disorder is essential to prevent patients from harmful diagnostic procedures or surgical treatments. Psychiatric treatment is best focused on management and care rather than cure. Psychogenic “HIV infection” might become more common than acknowledged up to now. Physicians should consider the occurrence of psychogenic “HIV infection,” part of the symptomatology may be psychogenically determined, or indeed frankly simulated.