Factitious Disorder: An Angioedema Copycat

Factitious disorder (FD) is a psychiatric illness in which an individual assumes the role of a patient by manifesting physical or psychological symptoms without conscious or obvious reward. Here, we present the case of a 28-year-old female with a history of endotracheal intubations 19 times secondary to anaphylaxis. During the current hospital visit, she complained of cough, shortness of breath (SOB), arthralgia, wheezing, and rashes over the chest. Serum C1 esterase inhibitor and C4 levels have been negative on multiple occasions. A previous laryngoscopy showed a normal larynx, normal vocal cords, and no obstruction. Due to the patient’s history of multiple invasive procedures, malingering was considered a possible differential diagnosis. The patient also has a past psychiatric history of major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorder with anxious mood, and anxiety disorder. Her complicated psychiatric history coupled with her multiple endotracheal intubations associated with normal laboratory findings raise the suspicion of factitious disorder. This case is meant to demonstrate the complicated matter of helping a patient whose psychiatric illnesses have put her at risk of serious health complications for the sake of assuming a sick role.