Does Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy exist?

A new documentary, MAMA/M.A.M.A. questions the validity of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, arguing that in many cases doctors over medication of infants may be the real cause of their infirmity rather than the mother's mental illness. The documentary, coupled with the Sir Roy Meadow's recent troubles presents a convincing case against the very existence of the disorder.
www.munchausenmovie.com is the site for the film which contains the last interview which Sir Roy Meadow granted.

Those who have lived it know it exists. And one documentary and one person are not enough to eliminate a classification of child abuse. I can sympathize with those who have been wrongly accused. However that doesn't make the existence of MBP abuse impossible. It's sad, but some are abused and some are wrongly accused. It's not black and white.

A rose is a rose. Call it a different name, say that it doesn't exist (for whatever reasons), try to make it appear as something else by changing the color and tint...etc. but there it is, and it's still a rose! It is obvious to anyone who is looking that it exists...it is substancial, real, exact, and causing great harm and even death to our children all over the world today on both physical and pschological levels. I know...I have revcently been there. My ex-wife is abusing my son, but won't be for much longer. There is help out there people. You just have to care enough to go out there and find it. Don't give up on your kids because some idiot in a doctor's office blew you off or laughed at your suggestion of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome. It is your duty as parents to fight for your children, even if you are fighting against thier mother/father. The child likely will not understand why you are doing this, but it it for thier good, and we, as parents know this.

sadly the only high profile people advocating for falsely accused mothers are at a board run by scientologists. They dont allow differing opinions from their own and the head-honcho thinks monkeys kill their babies so humans should be allowed to as well.
Trouble is the way MSbP is decribed is all wrong. As it is- almost anyone could be accused of it. If it was re-defined as medical abuse against another than I'd accept it definately does exist in that context.

The board Jamess refers to has no connection with Scientologists. Neither its founder nor it's current moderator, nor any individual who posts on it approves of humans or monkeys killing their children. And they certainly do allow differing opinions and open debate on the subject. A number of doctors are in open discussion there with falsely accused parents.

good website i was just sent www.mama2.org

I have only just found this discussion board, after searching for a contributor who has posted to another discussion board at JulieGregory.com.

I wanted to comment on the claim that the MSBP.com board is run by scientologists.

It isn't, it's financed by Julie Patrick who is helped by a moderator who prefers to remain anonymous, but I know who this is. Their religious affiliations are their own concern, but as I have met one and corresponded regularly with both over many years I do happen to know what those religious connections are - and they are not to do with scientology.

The allegation that the board is run by scientologists surfaces regularly and is very puzzling. It may be part of a process of attempted denigration of those who run and contribute to the board.

But the board appears to survive these periodic attempts and is widely read by journalists, some of whom like myself contribute to it.

Doctors, psychologists, lawyers and social workers read it.

If anyone wants to communicate indirectly with any of these professionals they use the MAMA board - it works.

I just wanted to say, after reading my post under the user name Guest, that I have registered and my name did not appear - I hope it does this time.

brianmorgan@ntlworld.com

This by proxy disorder does exist. It is a serious form of child abuse. It is recognized by professionals in psychiatry. My step son is a victim of this terrible crime. His mother "made-up" symptoms to have doctors preform various tests-all for her benefit. He is 13 years old, and in the last 3 years has been to the hospital over 50 times and to the doctor over 100. She gives him enemas at home. He has had to endure 4 colonoscopies. The doctors have found nothing biologically wrong with him. His mother is a very sick woman. We are now in a custody battle, and because Munchausen by proxy has been used falsey in court battles, the court has no choice but to question the diagnosis, and send my step son and his mother to countless evaluations, all at the expense of my husband. We pursue this case because we know we are saving his life. Belive me, it exsists.

I'd really like to hear more about this case - if you want to correspond off board that's fine - PM me. Remember I'm not in the US but I do know some of the leading figures in the field there.