My mother-in-law is 45 years old and she acts sick every day, making a big fuss. Could she have a mental illness?

Greetings, I am Xin Tan, coaching under the guidance of Mo Xiaofan. Your mother-in-law's behavior is indeed perplexing, yet there are certain actions that require her involvement.

1. The mother-in-law is entitled to be informed about the financial obligations of the family.

If a genuine issue exists, the questioner will exert considerable effort to address it. However, the current situation bears resemblance to the mother-in-law's unsubstantiated complaints about illness, which have resulted in significant external debt for the questioner and her family.

It is therefore recommended that the questioner first communicate clearly with her husband, informing him of the current debts and the proposed repayment plan. It is also essential that both parties are aware that the purpose of listing the debts is not to settle scores with the mother-in-law, but to provide her with an understanding of the financial challenges faced by the children.

In the event of a problem, the children will undoubtedly endeavor to resolve it to the best of their abilities. In the absence of a tangible outcome, they may hope that the mother-in-law will comprehend their perspective, given that financial resources are not readily attainable.

In the event that her husband is unable to comprehend the situation and even attributes blame to her, she must learn to halt the progression of the issue promptly and retain pertinent evidence to prevent herself from being placed in a passive position.

2. Determine the underlying needs of your mother-in-law.

It is beneficial that your mother-in-law is concerned about her health. However, it should be noted that good health does not result from medical tests alone. Rather, it is the result of a nutritious diet, regular rest, and exercise.

It would be beneficial for the questioner to speak with her husband to ascertain whether her mother-in-law has experienced any unfortunate events recently and is seeking the attention of her children. In such instances, she may resort to feigning illness. It is not uncommon for parents to exhibit behaviors reminiscent of children.

During our formative years, we frequently feigned illness to evade undertaking tasks we were disinclined to perform. To ascertain your mother-in-law's genuine requirements, it is advisable to initiate discourse with her associates, thereby identifying any aspects that may have been inadvertently overlooked.

In the event that, subsequent to comprehension, the issue remains relatively uncomplicated, the questioner may choose to engage the mother-in-law and a professional counselor in discussion regarding the matter, with a view to elucidating the underlying causes and potential resolutions.

Dear Questioner,

I am Dr. Sunshine, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to engage with you on the Yi Xinli platform.

I would like to thank the questioner for their perceptive observation, which has initiated a discussion on the subject of mental illness in older adults. The questioner's description of their 45-year-old mother-in-law's behavior suggests that she may be exhibiting symptoms of a mental illness.

The title of the post employs two terms, "malingering" and "disturbing people," which appear to be incongruous with the subject's age. This raises the question of whether there are underlying emotional or psychological issues affecting the mother-in-law.

It is also possible that her behavior is motivated by a desire for attention. In any case, there must be a "truth/reason" behind her behavior that is not immediately apparent.

In addition, I will present my thoughts and ideas on this topic for the questioner's reference.

The aforementioned circumstances warrant further investigation.

After a thorough examination of the circumstances outlined by the questioner, I will endeavor to comprehend, interpret, and analyze them.

My mother-in-law is a 45-year-old woman who exhibits a tendency to feign illness on a daily basis. In the past, she has sought medical attention at a hospital for a comprehensive physical examination, even when exhibiting only minimal symptoms of a common cold, and has remained hospitalized for approximately six weeks on an intravenous drip. Despite the medical professional's recommendation that her condition was merely a mild cold and that she could simply take medication, she did not adhere to this advice.

A common cold with a runny nose that requires an IV for half a month can be described as "treating a minor illness like a major disease." At first glance, it may appear that the mother-in-law is suffering from a "major illness" and would be distressed if she did not receive such "attention." However, it is more accurate to say that she is not "pretending to be sick" but is actually experiencing fear of illness.

Over the past six months, the patient has presented with daily complaints of abdominal discomfort. She has undergone multiple imaging studies and comprehensive examinations at various prominent medical centers, yet the attending physicians have consistently ruled out any underlying pathology and offered no definitive treatment plan. The patient then expressed dissatisfaction with the initial hospital and sought consultation at another facility. A comprehensive medical and gastroscopic examination was conducted.

Indeed, digestive issues such as stomach pain are often linked to an individual's emotional state and psychological well-being. It is plausible that internal conflicts may manifest as physical ailments. Those who are "hypochondriacs" often experience distressing feelings of fear and anxiety surrounding the prospect of illness. Consequently, they frequently undergo a multitude of medical tests and examinations.

The questioner states that the doctor at the large hospital determined that there was no illness after an examination, yet the mother-in-law still sought an examination at another hospital. This is a more typical case. The individual exhibiting hypochondriacal behavior appears to be awaiting the manifestation of disease symptoms, as they have long held the conviction that their ailment is already present and that the symptoms and results will inevitably emerge.

The subject in question now requests medical attention on a daily basis. The mere suggestion of a visit to a physician elicits an immediate positive response, yet the financial obligations of the family continue to accumulate. The subject has previously reported experiencing back pain, headaches, mental distress, and weakness in her legs. These symptoms have been investigated and found to be unrelated to any underlying pathology. In a recent instance, the subject exhibited a cough and visited multiple medical facilities for a period exceeding 20 days. This behavior raises the question of whether the subject may be experiencing a mental illness.

Based on the aforementioned description and the symptoms presented, it is probable that the questioner's mother-in-law exhibits symptoms of hypochondria. However, determining the underlying cause may prove challenging.

It is plausible that the individual in question has previously experienced distress associated with a physical or medical illness. When they perceive slight physical discomfort, they may perceive it as a recurrence of their previous illness. Alternatively, they may have observed a family member, friend, or relative suffering from an illness, which has instilled in them a fear of illness. This may appear implausible to others, but only the individual with hypochondriacal tendencies is aware that they are not feigning illness but are genuinely experiencing physical discomfort and psychological distress.

— Some research findings indicate that individuals who were overprotected during childhood or who experienced abuse during that period are more likely to develop hypochondria as adults.

In the case of the questioner's mother-in-law, if pertinent medical evaluations at a conventional medical facility substantiate the absence of a physiological ailment, it may be attributable to psychological factors.

In response to the aforementioned situation, an appropriate course of action may be as follows:

Firstly, it is important to accept your mother-in-law's current situation. Family members are in a unique position to closely observe her mood changes and identify periods when she is not exhibiting hypochondriacal behaviour. These periods may include instances when she is interacting with others, engaging in outdoor activities, or participating in other activities.

It is recommended to begin with an examination of the emotional state. If the emotional distress is significantly less pronounced than the physical symptoms, it is possible that the underlying issue may be psychological in nature. A more comprehensive and systematic physical examination can be conducted for your mother-in-law. In the event that no physical illness is identified, it may be beneficial to initiate a psychological assessment to gain a deeper understanding of the situation.

Secondly, a more profound comprehension of her past life experiences, her previous physical condition, illness, psychological state, interpersonal relationships—especially those within the context of marriage—and the presence of analogous situations pertaining to anxiety and depression within her family of origin can be attained, thereby facilitating a more accurate understanding of the subject matter.

Third, if the hospital examination indicates that the patient is physically normal and has no serious illness, it is advisable to consult a specialist in psychological treatment. The patient should request a professional psychological evaluation and a clear diagnosis. If the patient is diagnosed with hypochondria, it is appropriate to follow the doctor's advice. The appropriate course of action may include medication or psychological treatment, depending on the specific diagnosis.

In conclusion, this is my interpretation and response to the question posed by the original questioner. It is my hope that this will prove to be a constructive and beneficial contribution to the discussion.

The aforementioned considerations are to be taken into account.

I am here to provide support and encouragement. I extend my love and support to you and to the world.

I am very concerned about this annoying situation. It seems like someone is looking for trouble or is suspiciously ill. Your mother-in-law may not have anything important to do right now, so she may be trying to keep herself busy.

I don't know if your mother-in-law has a stable job. At 45 years old, she is actually in her prime and can work. If she has little to do every day, she is clearly pretending to be sick every day to keep herself occupied and force herself to become a patient.

There are many benefits to being a patient. You can gain advantages and receive special treatment and support that makes you feel comfortable. People may be concerned about her or ask after her health.

You've already realized that the other person's behavior is annoying. This is unacceptable. The other person even went to the hospital for a full body checkup when she had a cold. There's no need to make a big deal out of a small matter. Usually, for this kind of minor illness, you can just go to the clinic and get a prescription.

There is no need to hang the bottle for half a month, and the doctor has also given her some advice. It is clear that she has not listened to the doctor either. This kind of unnecessary examination, if accumulated, will undoubtedly make her family members increasingly uncomfortable and leave the family in debt. Because increasing income and reducing expenditure are the necessary channels for wealth accumulation, it is imperative that she seek psychological counseling and take the initiative to adjust herself for the sake of her family. I wish her well.

ZQ?