Will The Maya Kowalski Case Strike Reform In Our Broken Child Welfare System?
Oct 10, 2023, 11:00 PM
Is the medical community misusing the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis and causing more harm than good?
In a recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, Tony Brueski delves into the controversial and distressing topic of the misuse of the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis with guest Susan Constantine, a Trial Consultant and Body Language Expert.
Munchausen by proxy is a mental health disorder where a caregiver, often a parent, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick. The diagnosis, while legitimate in some cases, can be used improperly, leading to devastating consequences for families.
Central to the discussion was the disturbing case surrounding a doctor named Sally Smith. Although Dr. Smith recently retired and settled with the family involved, the ramifications of her actions linger. "Look at the damage this person did," Brueski points out, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in the medical community to prevent such misuse in the future.
The alarming revelation from the podcast was the advice given to Brueski and Constantine from an expert in the field: "You need to go after the hospitals, you need to go after the doctors, you need to go after the departments." This insight suggests that the broader medical community may be inadvertently complicit in these tragic cases.
Constantine emphasized the upcoming MAYA trial, which she believes will set a precedent. If Maya's case results in a win, it could pave the way for more lawsuits against medical professionals and institutions. "These guys are going to start hiding, and they're going to start stopping," predicts Constantine. "You got to hit them where it hurts, and that's right in the pocketbook."
The complexities of the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis also came under scrutiny. How does one conclusively diagnose someone with such a disorder? While Constantine acknowledges she isn't a medical professional, she raises valid concerns. She notes signs such as a child repeatedly reported as sick every time they're under their mother's care or excessive protectiveness of the child. However, she suggests a more rigorous approach to diagnosis involving external, unassociated doctors for a balanced opinion.
Drawing parallels to other distressing cases like the Didi Blanchard case in Springfield, Missouri, Constantine highlights the challenges in diagnosing psychological disorders. The reliance on "opinion" rather than fact, coupled with a lack of objective analysis, creates a slippery slope that can lead to incorrect and potentially damaging diagnoses.
The conversation also touched on the possible motivations behind misdiagnoses, pointing to potential ulterior motives like research opportunities. In one anecdote, Constantine speaks of how a child was subjected to manipulative "games" to determine if she was "faking it." Such practices raise significant ethical concerns.
Perhaps most heart-wrenching is the real-world consequences of these misdiagnoses. Constantine recounts how a mother, misdiagnosed with Munchausen by proxy, faced societal judgment and ostracization, despite multiple other doctors asserting she didn't have the disorder. In another case, a misdiagnosis had tragic consequences, with the mother, overwhelmed by the accusations, taking her own life.
Given the gravity of the implications of such diagnoses, both Brueski and Constantine conclude that there needs to be a shift in how these cases are approached. Constantine states, "We're relying on people's opinion. There is no fact to it." This lack of objective evidence combined with potential biases, whether from personal egos or institutional pressures, is a recipe for disaster.
While the conversation raises more questions than it answers, it is evident that there is a need for reform in how the medical community approaches such sensitive cases. Trust in the medical profession is paramount, and when that trust is undermined, it has profound consequences on society.
As the article concludes, it's worth pondering: How many more families need to be torn apart before there is a systemic change in diagnosing Munchausen by proxy?
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
In a recent episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, Tony Brueski delves into the controversial and distressing topic of the misuse of the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis with guest Susan Constantine, a Trial Consultant and Body Language Expert.
Munchausen by proxy is a mental health disorder where a caregiver, often a parent, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick. The diagnosis, while legitimate in some cases, can be used improperly, leading to devastating consequences for families.
Central to the discussion was the disturbing case surrounding a doctor named Sally Smith. Although Dr. Smith recently retired and settled with the family involved, the ramifications of her actions linger. "Look at the damage this person did," Brueski points out, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in the medical community to prevent such misuse in the future.
The alarming revelation from the podcast was the advice given to Brueski and Constantine from an expert in the field: "You need to go after the hospitals, you need to go after the doctors, you need to go after the departments." This insight suggests that the broader medical community may be inadvertently complicit in these tragic cases.
Constantine emphasized the upcoming MAYA trial, which she believes will set a precedent. If Maya's case results in a win, it could pave the way for more lawsuits against medical professionals and institutions. "These guys are going to start hiding, and they're going to start stopping," predicts Constantine. "You got to hit them where it hurts, and that's right in the pocketbook."
The complexities of the Munchausen by proxy diagnosis also came under scrutiny. How does one conclusively diagnose someone with such a disorder? While Constantine acknowledges she isn't a medical professional, she raises valid concerns. She notes signs such as a child repeatedly reported as sick every time they're under their mother's care or excessive protectiveness of the child. However, she suggests a more rigorous approach to diagnosis involving external, unassociated doctors for a balanced opinion.
Drawing parallels to other distressing cases like the Didi Blanchard case in Springfield, Missouri, Constantine highlights the challenges in diagnosing psychological disorders. The reliance on "opinion" rather than fact, coupled with a lack of objective analysis, creates a slippery slope that can lead to incorrect and potentially damaging diagnoses.
The conversation also touched on the possible motivations behind misdiagnoses, pointing to potential ulterior motives like research opportunities. In one anecdote, Constantine speaks of how a child was subjected to manipulative "games" to determine if she was "faking it." Such practices raise significant ethical concerns.
Perhaps most heart-wrenching is the real-world consequences of these misdiagnoses. Constantine recounts how a mother, misdiagnosed with Munchausen by proxy, faced societal judgment and ostracization, despite multiple other doctors asserting she didn't have the disorder. In another case, a misdiagnosis had tragic consequences, with the mother, overwhelmed by the accusations, taking her own life.
Given the gravity of the implications of such diagnoses, both Brueski and Constantine conclude that there needs to be a shift in how these cases are approached. Constantine states, "We're relying on people's opinion. There is no fact to it." This lack of objective evidence combined with potential biases, whether from personal egos or institutional pressures, is a recipe for disaster.
While the conversation raises more questions than it answers, it is evident that there is a need for reform in how the medical community approaches such sensitive cases. Trust in the medical profession is paramount, and when that trust is undermined, it has profound consequences on society.
As the article concludes, it's worth pondering: How many more families need to be torn apart before there is a systemic change in diagnosing Munchausen by proxy?
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com