VICTORIA, HER MALAISE, & HER CARETAKER MR ANDREWS: Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP)

PANDEMIC WRITINGS, Melbourne, Australia (2020-2022): piece originally published September 4, 2020

Victoria is currently a gullible child. She had so much promise, but now Father is constantly worried about her. She is frequently restless, desiring to play outside, to see her friends, to see her family, to partake in all former aspects of her once vibrant life — but, she should know better. Father knows best!

Mr Andrews’ adopted child, Victoria, is extremely unwell. She may not know it, but he certainly does, and it furrows his brow that she is so incredibly sad, and in need of his care. Her beloved ‘old normal’ is all she now wants. It is gone, for she is sick! Indeed, the “new normal” is the only “normal” she now needs. He knows this, and he desperately wants her to know this, and she will, as she gets better. He has done all he can to convince her. The ‘old normal’ was uncertain, and fraught with danger, and she can never return. Victoria needs to get well!

He reminds her daily that she needs him, cannot be apart, or independent, and certainly cannot entertain thoughts of getting better without him. Father has committed himself to her endless journey of a return to health. Obviously this cannot happen by itself, only he knows how it can happen, and that is why the irritable child sometimes acts out. The virus is ‘deadly’ and ‘wicked’ and ‘does not discriminate.’ How does she not know this? She has the virus! She is sick, and he must give the care she requires. Victoria must entrust him to look after her, but the child does not always know this; does not always feel this; and often does not even believe this — so Father must be stern, and Father must be obeyed. It is all for Victoria’s health, and she should not be so selfish, for everything that is done, is done for her in her sickness.

Despite his daughter’s suffering; her being housebound even when the sun shines; her utter disconnect from her previous life; her bedtime curfew; it truly breaks his heart to discipline her. The punishment is necessary, and although it has hurt her terribly, and will leave irreversible scars on her psyche, she must get better. That time will come, or it may never come, but regardless, Father is there to watch over her. He will always be there. 

Recently Victoria was talking too much about feeling better, and wondering when she might not be as sick as Father thought, but Father noticed her apparent stress, and he was troubled by the energy wasted on such blabbering. First he gently encouraged her, and then he forced her to cover her face always with a cloth. All that talking and smiling threatened to jeopardise her recovery. One should not smile when they are sick. Any premature talk of recovery and feeling better might inspire a false sense of wellness, and it would be devastating for him to tell her that it was not true. She is still very unwell and could eventually become worse. 

Victoria tries to reassure him that she is fine, perhaps not as sick as he might have thought, and even not sick anymore — but Mr Andrews will hear nothing of it! When you are sick, you are sick, and when you think you are better — Father still knows best.