Fabricated or induced abuse
Fabricated abuse is commonly considered to be a form of physical abuse. This form of abuse involves the child’s abuser fabricating an illness, deliberately inducing symptoms of illness or administering medicines unnecessarily, for example regular use of sedatives.
Signs that may suggest fabricated abuse include:
- Symptoms that are not consistent with the medical condition that the child is suffering from.
- Symptoms that are not explained by a medical examination or investigation.
- An unexplained poor response to treatment.
- New symptoms that are reported after previous symptoms are resolved.
- Symptoms that are only reported or seen by the parent or carer.
- The child’s normal activities are stopped or otherwise compromised.