# What are disability "pretenders" and what do they get out of it **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403 "2012-06-27T00:04:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/1 "2012-06-27T00:04:29Z")
I’ve got some questions about “pretenders”/disability fakers. Why do they do this? If it is a mental illness, is there any form of treatment for it? I especially don’t get why they do it anonymously online or when other people aren’t there, it can’t just be a form of manipulation. I have spent decades hiding my [minor] disability from the people around me, so I can’t comprehend why they’d be like this. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/2 "2012-06-27T00:23:10Z")
> [@Namkcalb](#): > > I’ve got some questions about “pretenders”/disability fakers. > Why do they do this? > If it is a mental illness, is there any form of treatment for it? > I especially don’t get why they do it anonymously online or when other people aren’t there, it can’t just be a form of manipulation. > > I have spent decades hiding my [minor] disability from the people around me, so I can’t comprehend why they’d be like this. > **[Factitious disorder imposed on self](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchausen_syndrome)** > > Factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS), sometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome, is a complex mental disorder where individuals play the role of a sick patient to receive some form of psychological validation, such as attention, sympathy, or physical care. Patients with FDIS intentionally falsify or induce signs and symptoms of illness, trauma, or abuse to assume this role. These actions are performed consciously, though the patient may be unaware of the motivations driving their b F... Also: If you can fake the right things you can end up getting SSI disability payments. So in a nutshell, if you manage to get yourself permanently disabled you can have a free minimal income without working indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/3 "2012-06-27T00:24:37Z")
wow > **[Factitious disorder imposed on self](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchausen_by_Internet)** > > Factitious disorder imposed on self, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is a factitious disorder in which those affected feign or induce disease, illness, injury, abuse, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves. Munchausen syndrome fits within the subclass of factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and symptoms, but patients also have a history of recurrent hospitalization, travelling, and dramatic, extremely improbable tales of their past ... ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/4 "2012-06-27T01:44:53Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > wow > > [Factitious disorder imposed on self - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchausen_by_Internet) This is a completely seperate disorder from [pretenders](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_pretender). They are described as the “missing link” between devotees and wannabees. Quote from link: “This form of pretending (where a devotee derives pleasure by pretending to be a disabled woman) may indicate a very broad predisposition to pretending among devotees.”…Ahhh! or should I say, “ **Umkay!** ” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/5 "2012-06-27T02:31:38Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > So in a nutshell, if you manage to get yourself permanently disabled you can have a free minimal income without working indefinitely. Cite: My ex-wife. Now I won’t contest that she is seriously mentally ill, but her ‘disability’ claim was that she was agorophobic and couldn’t be out in public. Apparently working at the annual Ren Fest or hanging around the Mall of America weren’t an issue, just working an actual job. :rolleyes: She tried real hard to get me to try to claim disability as well so that neither of us had to work. No fucking way was I walking down that road. What did she get? Free income, never had to work, excuses for all sorts of bad behavior both public and private. That’s pretty much what any of them get. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/6 "2012-06-27T07:55:20Z")
There seem to be lots of people who are _disability pretenders_, in that they use cars with handicapped stickers and park in reserved handicapped spots, but are not disabled at all – they are just using the vehicle of a disabled family member, and taking advantage of that. Do they count as _disability pretenders_? ---
**Author:** ![benbo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@benbo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benbo1)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/7 "2012-06-27T08:42:04Z")
In my state (Cali), we have people with ‘service animals’ - usually dogs - they not only can they live with their masters & mistresses in buildings that forbid pets, but they can go everywhere like supermarkets, movies, restaurants, etc. Keep in mind I don’t mean seeing-eye dogs; these are normal-looking people who obviously can see & hear, walking a (usually) dog which is wearing a jacket that says they’re a service animal. I believe cats and even birds can qualify as service animals! I can’t help but wonder how many of these people are disability pretenders, simply looking to bend the rules to have a pet (again, not counting the seeing-eye dogs). Then again, it gave me paws (sorry, like Cecil I can’t resist a bad pun) when I saw a tv show where some veterans suffering PTSD went everywhere with their dogs; so I guess PTSD would be a legit reason. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/8 "2012-06-27T11:34:18Z")
> [@benbo1](#): > > In my state (Cali), we have people with ‘service animals’ - usually dogs - they not only can they live with their masters & mistresses in buildings that forbid pets, but they can go everywhere like supermarkets, movies, restaurants, etc. Keep in mind I don’t mean seeing-eye dogs; these are normal-looking people who obviously can see & hear, walking a (usually) dog which is wearing a jacket that says they’re a service animal. I believe cats and even birds can qualify as service animals! I can’t help but wonder how many of these people are disability pretenders, simply looking to bend the rules to have a pet (again, not counting the seeing-eye dogs). Then again, it gave me paws (sorry, like Cecil I can’t resist a bad pun) when I saw a tv show where some veterans suffering PTSD went everywhere with their dogs; so I guess PTSD would be a legit reason. The laws in the US under the ADA are that 1. Service animals must be allowed anywhere accessible to the public 2. You’re not allowed to ask anyone for proof that their animal is a service animal Understandably, this truck sized loophole has lead to many people pawning their dogs off as service animals purely as a matter of convenience. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/9 "2012-06-27T11:49:28Z")
Nm ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/10 "2012-06-27T13:16:21Z")
Being truly disabled, I cannot imagine what these numbnuts think is so wonderful about it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/11 "2012-06-27T13:21:24Z")
They get attention and sympathy without the downsides of pain and actual inability to do stuff. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/12 "2012-06-27T13:33:45Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > The laws in the US under the ADA are that > > 1. Service animals must be allowed anywhere accessible to the public > 2. You’re not allowed to ask anyone for proof that their animal is a service animal > > Understandably, this truck sized loophole has lead to many people pawning their dogs off as service animals purely as a matter of convenience. [Recent revision](http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm) on service animals under the ADA. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/13 "2012-06-27T14:23:22Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > They get attention and sympathy without the downsides of pain and actual inability to do stuff. Screw that. I’d rather be able to walk. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/14 "2012-06-27T14:24:10Z")
Same here, but then, I’m neither D nor P nor W on that spectrum. Heck, I’m not even near the spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/15 "2012-06-27T18:02:53Z")
I don’t even know about a “spectrum”. I can still hobble from my scooter to the commode, and from the scooter to a chair. I use a 4-point cane to do so. For which I am very grateful. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/16 "2012-06-27T18:12:10Z")
> [@Namkcalb](#): > > I have spent decades hiding my [minor] disability from the people around me, so I can’t comprehend why they’d be like this. Bit of a hijack but, yeah, I always try to put on a good front in public, limp less, stand up straight when I want to slump etc. I’m in receipt of some disability benefits and it worries me (slightly) that some investigator could film me looking more or less OK on my way home, to “prove” I’m faking when they don’t see how I am the minute I get indoors and drop the act. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/17 "2012-06-27T18:13:20Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > They get attention and sympathy without the downsides of pain and actual inability to do stuff. No, this is not the reason. They get “relief” from pretending. Pretenders believe they were born in the wrong body; they feel ‘complete’ when they act out their ‘pretend’ disabilities in their lives; whether it be by using a wheelchair when out and about or whatever it may be. It is a true illness. That is why I feel those few TV specials (I don’t recall the specifics) like the one featuring the woman on TLC (I think) who was supposedly a pretender do more harm than good. Those aren’t reflective of most pretenders. If you research pretenders and find some actual testimonials, it’s rather eye-opening. They don’t like their conditions. They don’t choose them. They are afflicted by them just like anyone else with a physical malady. Unfortunately many disabled people view pretenders and wannabees with nothing but scorn, as they see anyone who would FAKE having the life-altering disabilities that were forced upon them as shitty people. It’s not so cut and dry, however. ETA: Now this is _not_ to say that the DPW spectrum doesn’t contain predators and creeps. It does. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/18 "2012-06-27T18:21:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Same here, but then, I’m neither D nor P nor W on that spectrum. Heck, I’m not even near the spectrum. Mmm hmmm…:dubious: So you say…But you got a thing for those gimpy guys don’t cha??? :dubious: Ya know, I never _thought_ you were a troll but now… ---
**Author:** ![Neevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Neevil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neevil)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/19 "2012-06-27T19:16:42Z")
I don’t know exactly what’s behind the recent threads but it is claimed that some pretenders are suffering from a disorder called BIID - body integrity identity disorder. Individuals with this disorder apparently feel that their ‘true’ identity is that of an amputee or a person with some form of physical disability. This leads them to pretend they are amputees or paraplegics for example and even on some occasions go so far as to harm themselves to achieve their desired body image. I don’t know how much support or research into this condition there has been in the wider medical community. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403/20 "2012-06-27T20:30:03Z")
> [@Neevil](#): > > even on some occasions go so far as to harm themselves to achieve their desired body image. It’s all worth it if you can get some [BEAUTIFUL TWIN BODY-POWERED DORRANCE #5X STAINLESS-STEEL HOOKS](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=69740) out of the deal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-disability-pretenders-and-what-do-they-get-out-of-it/626403.md?page=2)