Anybody else wondering if this case is just a ploy for attention?

[TXlib]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/04/01/missing.student/index.html

In February she claims to have been attacked, but as i understand it, in neither case was there physical evidence of another person...

Sure, somebody could be targeting her, but I am wondering in the back of my mind if she just wanted attention.

[Caromill]

1. I have to admit it crossed my mind

But I have nothing to back up the feeling.

[Tempest]

2. Munchausen syndrome

People with factitious disorders feign, exaggerate, or actually self-induce illnesses.

Their aim? To assume the status of "patient," and thereby to win attention, nurturance, and lenience that they feel unable to obtain in any other way. Unlike individuals who "malinger," people with factitious disorders are not primarily seeking external gains such as disability payments or narcotic drugs--though they may receive them nonetheless.

That would be my guess too.

[redqueen]

3. I was thinking there was something odd about that story

Couldn't put my finger on it though.

Isn't Munchausen when you make someone else sick so you get sympathy?

[Dookus]

5. No

that's called Munchausen-by-Proxy

[redqueen]

7. Well that would make sense

I'm on a roll today! :dunce:

[TXlib]

6. That's Munchausen Syndrome, by proxy

[lolly]

8. Munchausen by Proxy

Is the term for making someone else sick--generally, one's own child--so that one can gain sympathy for having a seriously ill child and praise for being such a strong parent for taking care of the poor sick child.

[dolo amber]

4. Smells a bit dodgy

to me, but then again, you never know...:shrug:

[Nay]

9. This is a weird story -- what hit me is that there is no

PUBLISHED explanation of why she left her apt unaccompanied that day without a coat or purse. In a news report, wouldn't we usually hear something like: "Jane Doe, who disappeared Friday night as she went out to the grocery, was found (blah, blah)?"

In this story, there is no explanation of where she was when abducted, what she was doing when abducted, why she went out that night w/o coat or purse, how she got away from the kidnapper, nothing. This indicates to me that her story is not holding together in the eyes of the police, so little info is being released -- even info that would normally be released without question.

Or CNN could have some really lousy print reporters. I haven't seen any TV stuff on this abduction.

[sam sarrha]

10. lets wait to judge till the info is in...

[TXlib]

12. I'm not judging. I don't *think* that she's making it up.

I'm just saying the thought crossed my mind.

[Paradise]

11. That never crossed my mind,

I can be naive. Was thinking amnesia or something related to her head injury. But, now that you mention it...