Is there a psychological disorder where somebody thinks they are dying of a disease?

Question

My friend has told people for years she is dying of bone cancer and she gets peoples symphathy. She even tells her 3 children she is dying. She first had me fooled when I first met her but over the years I found out it was just lies. Does she have a disorder or is she just a big liar????

Answer 1

I don't know what they call this, but she  needs mental help. I don't think she is just being deceitful. She's crying out for attention and this is how she is getting it.  

Answer 2

Hypochondria?

Answer 3

it's called hypochondria.

Answer 4

sounds like she's a hypochondriac

Answer 5

My mother was just like this.  Her "hobby" was buying home test kits for various diseases and then telling everyone she had this disease or that one.

For years, she had the whole family convinced she had serious heart problems, but I finally got the nerve to go talk to her doctor.  She had a fine heart, but definitely had mental issues.  The doc told me she suffered from Hypochondria.  We all believed she did this for attention.

When she got cancer, she actually BRAGGED that it was the worst and most fatal type of cancer you could get.

If you've checked it out that your friend is indeed cancer-free, then it sounds like your friend has hypochondria and needs to see a psychiatrist.  Pathological lying goes hand in hand with this disorder and is an attention-seeking ploy.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I would say that she has a disorder. An anxiety disorder can cause you to think you are dying of a disease however these thoughts usually change from time to time.. Like they will have a racing heart and think they are having heart attacks, then 20 minutes later they get a headache and think it is a brain tumor. But I would say she is just lying to get sympathy.. Unless she truly believes that she has it then yes it would be a disorder that needs to be helped.. Good luck with your friend!