Factitious disorders involve which of the following?

• A. Deliberate feigning or exaggeration of symptoms for attention.
• B. Genuine illness with identifiable pathology.
• C. A phobia of dark.
• D. A person experiencing multiple unexplained pains.

Answer: (A)

Factitious disorders involve intentionally producing or feigning physical or psychological symptoms to assume the sick role and gain attention and care. The behavior is voluntary and driven by a desire for care, sympathy, or the sick role, rather than for external rewards.

This fits best because the focus is on deliberate deception for attention. Other descriptions point to a real illness, a phobia, or unexplained pains that align with somatic symptom disorders, rather than intentional deception to be cared for.