Munchausen by Internet

As many know I go to a site that talks about a blogger in the Mommy Blogging community and exposes her half-truths and out right lies. I would put her name in here but I don’t want to give her clicks, not that I care that she makes money, I just don’t want her making money off me.

One of the commenter’s recently commented on a syndrome called Munchausen by Internet. I’m not sure if it’s a real syndrome or a twist on the other syndromes but it was interesting to read about this. Here is what specifically caught my attention (signs that the blogger suffers from the syndrome):

the posts consistently duplicate material in other posts, in books, or on health-related websites;

the characteristics of the supposed illness emerge as caricatures;

near-fatal bouts of illness alternate with miraculous recoveries;

claims are fantastic, contradicted by subsequent posts, or flatly disproved;

there are continual dramatic events in the person’s life, especially when other group members have become the focus of attention;

there is feigned blitheness about crises (e.g., going into septic shock) that will predictably attract immediate attention;

others apparently posting on behalf of the individual (e.g., family members, friends) have identical patterns of writing.

All of these things happen on this blog quite often. And the last one was put into effect just over a month ago. It’s sort of amazing to be truthful. Here is what the doctor suggests people do when they come across these types of blogs or posters on forums:

When Munchausen by Internet seems likely, it is best to have a small number of established members gently, empathetically, and privately question the author of the dubious posts. Even though the typical response is vehement denial regardless of the strength of the evidence, the author typically will eventually disappear from the group.

The question becomes, when you “privately” point things out and the blogger/author does nothing to change and continues to get worse when can you go public to warn people about the fraud? Because emotional fraud is just as hurtful, if not more so, than being taken for lots of money.

I can’t say I know the answer, and it may in fact be more on the reader to not be so accepting and believing of what they read. Although in some cases, especially the blogger above, she does make money off her fraud, not only through ads on her site but solicitation of donations and so forth during the rough times. So perhaps you have to call her out publicly because it’s not just emotional fraud.

I think the lesson of all of this is trust no one. LOL! Seriously though if it sounds too out there, too dramatic and just not within the realm of reality then it probably isn’t.

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Bigger Boobies

On Dr. Laura the other day a woman called in and asked if she should get breast implants even though her fiance said she shouldn’t and looked just fine.

Obviously Dr. Laura is against breast implants but you know what her argument as to why it’s unnecessary was very convincing. She asked the young woman why she wanted them. The woman said for better self esteem. Dr. Laura asked if she thought that would actually fix the issue? The girl really didn’t have an answer, but I think most of us know the answer, and it’s no it won’t.

Dr. Laura then asked the woman why she was reducing herself to just her boobies. The woman said she wanted to feel more womanly. And Dr. Laura was kind of surprised by this, why was this woman reducing womanhood down to how big your breasts are?

And it’s true, why do women judge themselves and their womanhood by how big their boobs are? Are they in competition with each other, or hoping for attention from men? And like Dr. Laura said, men may pay attention to boobs but they fall in love with the person. And no matter your breast size if you’re a bitch, they aren’t going to love you. I don’t know if it’s to get men, but more to compete with other women. It seems to me that women are motivated more by how other women see them, rather than men.

Do I think getting implants is wrong? Honestly I don’t care what people do. I found though what Dr. Laura said to be something to think about. Why are women reducing themselves to their breast size? Why is so much value placed on looks over character? And what does that say about a person who places looks over character?

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