Hurting for Love: Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome

I agree with the post below - Dr. Schreier's critics must have a hidden agenda. Not only their statement about lack of publications by the co-authors is not true, but they also attempt to discredit Dr. Schreier by saying that he does not belong to AMA. Hardly a sound evidence of a lack of credibility, since less than 30% of all doctors are members of the AMA. Should we then ignore the opinions of over 70% of M.D's?

Just thought I would point out, as a corrective to the reviewer who believes the authors have published "nothing" in the "medical or psychiatric literature", that these authors have in fact published quite a bit on the subject in the "medical or psychiatric literature". These reviews "warning" us against the authors strike me as having some kind of agenda. Some examples of the authors' publications: Schreier (1992), "The perversion of mothering: Munchausen syndrome by proxy," Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 56; Schreier & Libow (1993), "Munchausen Syndrome by proxy: Diagnosis and prevalence," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 63; Schreier & Libow (1994), "Munchausen by proxy syndrome: A modern pediatric challenge," The Journal of Pediatrics, 125; Libow (1994), "Munchausen by Proxy Victims in later life," Symposium conducted at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association; "Libow & Schreier (1986), "Three forms of factitious illness in children: When is it Munchausen syndrome by proxy?" American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 56.

It may seem like fiction to those lucky enough not to know a Munchausen. This book described my mother perfectly! I am a child of a Munchausen and I WAS interviewed by the authors when I was living in Utah. They also asked for medical documents and other evidence I provided. Reading the book was a great experience for me because I saw that it was an abuse that had a name. I am 50 years old and just reading the book gave me understanding I really needed. You may not believe it because it didn't happen to you. Trust me. This book is right on!

THE READER FROM MICHIGAN DOETH PROTEST TOO MUCH! GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY CHILDREN ACTUALLY DIED AS A RESULT OF THIS SYNDROME, WHEN PROBABLY, IN MANY CASES, IT WAS DISMISSED AS SIDS. YES, PARENTS CAN AND DO HURT THEIR CHILDREN IN THIS WAY! I HAVE READ MUCH ON THE SUBJECT. THE PARENTS KNOW HOW TO ACT THE PART OF A LOVING PARENT WHEN AMONGST OTHERS. WE HAVE ONLY TOUCHED THE TOP OF THE ICEBERG - IT IS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO PROVE. MEANWHILE, THE CHILDREN SUFFER TERRIBLY AND MANY DIE. SO, INSTEAD OF SHOOTING THE MESSENGER (AS DID THE READER FROM MICHIGAN) LET US TRY TO BE AWARE OF THE CHILDREN AMONGST US, AND LET THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY BECOME MORE EDUCATED ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE FORM OF CHILD ABUSE.