addiction to hospitals

I have a friend whos mother to wich he was very close past awasy about a year ago, with in the last four months Ive noticed he makes lots of trips to the hospital for small things and sometimes i think he makes up reasons or over exagerates in order to see the doc.  I believe he is doing this for attention although I dont know the name of the condition.  Can someone give me advice or if you know the name of the condition let me know so I can research it.
                                          thanks

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

In psychiatry the official terms would be malingering if it is for secondary gain, or if not for secondary gain would fall under the spectrum of 'Somatiform Disorders': Somatization disorder, pain disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, conversion disorder, or hypochondriasis.  All have different symptoms and different degrees of conscious insight into what is going on.

[nurseaudrea]

Munchowson Syndrome? Could that be the name of the illness you were thinking about. Those with this Syndrome often make up reasons why they need to be seen by the medical community. They feel the support that is given by medical professionals  is really what they are looking for. Some parents have made their child sick on purpose to have reasons to go to the hospital because of how they are treated as a mother with a sick child. They need the attention somehow through their child being sick. This is called Munchowson By Proxy. Not sure of the spelling. Hope this helps.

[dave42a]

From the little you said, it would be hard for anyone to accurately know. Munchausen's syndrome and secondary gains are not exactly the same but there is definitely a strong connection. Another thought and I am just throwing it out there--i have no idea whether it could be true or not but is is possible he is using the ER to acquire controlled drugs?