The art of the fake: why we lie about being sick

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From dodging a boring dinner to escaping a literal death sentence, malingering is a human constant. It is the intentional fabrication of symptoms for personal gain. While we often think of it as a harmless white lie, it exists on a spectrum that can cross into criminal deception and serious security risks.

Malingering is not a medical diagnosis, but rather an intentional action. Unlike somatic symptom disorder—where a person experiences real physical distress due to psychological causes—or factitious disorder—where symptoms are feigned without external gain—malingering is driven by a specific goal. This goal can range from the innocuous, such as avoiding a social obligation or a disliked meal, to the significant, such as obtaining disability benefits, avoiding military service, or winning a court case.

Because it lacks clinical symptoms, healthcare providers must rely on patterns and discrepancies to identify it. Clinicians look for 'symptom variability,' where ailments are notably worse when it is most convenient (e.g., right before a test or a holiday). They also watch for 'having every symptom,' where a person claims to have every possible ailment, including rare ones, to prove their point. Furthermore, discrepancies between different reports—such as a police statement not matching an insurance claim—often provide the first red flags.

The stakes of misidentification are high. If a provider wrongly accuses someone of malingering, they may overlook a genuine health crisis. Conversely, if a person feels threatened by an accusation, they may resort to self-injury or violence to prove their illness. Because of these risks, experts advise that friends and family should not confront suspected malingering directly but instead provide support while allowing trained professionals to conduct formal psychiatric assessments and medical reviews.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

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