Do women who find themselves in abusive relationships over and over again have form of Münchhausen Syndrome?

Question

Do women who find themselves in abusive relationships over and over again have form of Münchhausen Syndrome?

Answer 1

Munchausen Syndrome seems to be another name for hypochondria.  (the person themself feigning illness to gain attention as opposed to Munchausen Syndrome by proxy which is a mother making her child(ren) sick to gain attention for themselves).  Women who are in repeated abusive relationships are most likely to have very low self-esteem and their abusers have convinced them that they are without worth outside the relationship i.e. that without them (the abuser) the woman is worthless, the abuser makes them a "human being".

Answer 2

I think they have some kind of mental problems, but probably not that one, since it would require that all of her ailments be fictitious.

A combination of masochism and low self esteem seems more likely.

Answer 3

No... It's definitely not a form of Münchhausen Syndrome, though  I have often wondered if it was something like Stockholm Syndrome, when a prisoner or other victim begins to identify with their captor...

We learn about love from our parents or parental figures and how we relate in relationships can be directly affected by that dynamic. My mother was raised by an abusive father and that is how she learned of "love" so that is what she sought. She has been in numerous relationships with numerous men and almost every single one of them, including my father, was abusive in one way or another. The only ones that were good for her, she couldn't handle and she ran away from. Unfortunately, that is a common theme among women in abusive relationships. That or they believe that, for whatever untrue reason, they deserve this treatment...

Answer 4

I'm blown away that so many people are under the misconception that those suffering from Munchhausen's fake their ailments. They inflict an ailment upon themselves, take poison, puncture an ear drum. They are physically ill but they caused the illness. I see where you're going. Perhaps they get into the abusive relationships in order to recieve the injurys that send them to the ER. Problem with this theory is most of these women don't seek medical treatment and when they do they make an excuse for it. If Munchausens were involved they would want an undiagnosable ailment that would lead to tests, hospitalization and a lot of attention. Abused women shrink from attention.

Low self esteem is more the cause of the women who repeat the behavior. They don't feel capable of being independant, they need a man to take care of them but they don't feel worthy of a man who treats them well. I wonder if we're seeing more of this because in this day, most men want a equal partner as a wife, not someone who needs to be cared for. For the women who need a caregiver the pickings are being narrowed down to men with a control issue which is the first step to being an abuser.

We can all do our daughters a favor by raising them to be strong independant  women who can enjoy a relationship but don't NEED a relationship.

Answer 5

No, has nothing to do with it.

Answer 6

NO

What a weird idea

Answer 7

Are you thinking of Stockholm Syndrome, where a hostage/kidnap victim falls for, or starts being loyal to their captor?  I could see a person who is in multiple abusive relationships maybe having some form of this.

Answer 8

"Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which those affected fake disease, illness, or psychological trauma in order to draw attention or sympathy to themselves" so obviously not.  The bruises, broken bones, etc. are quite real.

Answer 9

no!

Answer 10

No they just pick gutless a**h***s who call themselves men!

Answer 11

Now my question to you is where you would (personally) see any evidence of this being possible? Many people have already stated what the true meaning behind Munchhausen Syndrome is, so I'm not going to reiterate their statements. But because I've witnessed many men and women who're or at one time where involved in mentally/physically abusive relationship, I (from my own personal experience) would have to say no.

Women and men who stay in these sort of relationships have sort of disconnect between reality and make-believe (sort of like the syndrome you mentioned). They believe that by staying with their abusers and enduring the physical and psychological punishment, they're proving to the abusers that their love for them is unconditional. Some feel that their vows before god are sacred and will not be broken (For better or worse), even if it means them being broken physically. Broken bones, black eyes, gunshot/stab wounds, emotional baggage and damage, and sometimes death are all the result of abuse being suffered at the hands of a lover (very rarely at the hands of the one’s being abused).  

The only way this 'disconnect' would be related to the mentioned disorder was if the victim was causing the afflictions upon themselves. In most instances (based on what I've seen) this is not the case. People (meaning men and women) who cry out for help are not making it up. I'm not saying that it's not possible (because I've seen this happen before too). I would have to say that the cases I've seen where real and the abuser was found guilty and punished.

And while I'm at it, what made you ask this question? What incidents have you witnesses personally would cause you try and find the relation between an abusive relationship and Munchhausen Syndrome?