Z76.5: Malingerer [conscious simulation]

Malingerer, or conscious simulation, is a psychological condition where an individual knowingly and deliberately acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. This behavior, commonly driven by external incentives such as avoiding work, legal judgements, or obtaining financial gains, is considered deceitful and different from other health conditions where symptoms are unintentional. The individual may present fabricated symptoms or exaggerate real minor symptoms to mislead healthcare professionals. The condition often becomes challenging to diagnose as such individuals can often mimic the symptoms of genuine disorders convincingly. Unnecessary medical tests and procedures may be performed due to the false representation of symptoms, resulting in wasted resources and potential health risks to the individual. Diagnosing malingering requires careful psychological evaluation, observation, and correlation with the person's background and circumstances.