Brain & Nervous System Stroke Living With 7 Ways to Cope If People Think You Are Faking Symptoms After a Stroke By Heidi Moawad, MD facebook linkedin Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and expert in the field of brain health and neurological disorders. Dr. Moawad regularly writes and edits health and career content for medical books and publications. Learn about our editorial process Heidi Moawad, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD on November 07, 2019 facebook twitter linkedin Carly Snyder, MD, is a board-certified reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. Learn about our Medical Review Board Carly Snyder, MD Updated on January 27, 2020 Print There are many unpleasant consequences of having a stroke such as vision loss, strained speech, weakness, trouble walking, headaches, seizures, and adjusting to new medications, to name just a few. In addition to the physical challenges, there are practical considerations when it comes to driving and going back to work. One of the subtle, yet emotionally painful consequences that some stroke survivors have to endure is the experience of being accused (subtly or clearly) of faking. Because stroke symptoms are often vague and may wax and wane, many people do not understand what a stroke survivor is going through. To make matters worse, it is recognized and documented in the medical community that those who fake illness often feign weakness or other neurological symptoms. And, for a stroke survivor, one of the most challenging situations of all is to be accused of faking by your employers or by human resources at your company or by those who administer your health care or disability benefits. If you are recovering from a stroke while struggling with accusations of malingering, there are some real steps you can take to make your situation better. Per Winbladh / Getty Images Be Objective You might be dealing with skepticism from an insurance company, your employer, a government agency, or a benefits payer. Sadly, there are people who fake illness. This affects health insurance costs. It affects employers and disability payers. It also affects doctors who often deal with patients faking illness to get out of responsibility or to obtain unjustified prescriptions for medications. So be reassured that most likely, requests for verification are routine, and not specifically targeted at you. Don't take it personally. Be Clear If you are afraid of getting hurt at work, making an error, or getting confused while driving to work, then explain your fear to your doctor. If you exaggerate or inaccurately convey your health concerns, then when your symptoms and physical findings don't match up with what you are saying, your doctor cannot back up your claims. Be Specific When Asking for Help Some large employers have methods in place to assist recovering employees. If you can do some of the assignments required of your job, but not all of them, explain why certain tasks are difficult or dangerous for you. There may be allocated company or government funds that can help you if you want to continue to work, but need some safety aids such as a walker, a ramp or better lighting. Utilize Rehabilitation and Therapy When you work with an occupational therapist to regain or re-learn physical and mental skills, your capabilities will be specifically and objectively documented every time. This can help both with improving your skills and with verifying your condition. Reach Out to Other Survivors See how other stroke survivors have coped. Learn from their experiences and use their know-how to help you learn how to adjust to your new abilities. You might benefit from joining a support group to learn more about resources and tips for living with stroke. Talk About the Stress of Feeling Mistrusted Overall, if you are recovering from a stroke and also dealing with skepticism about your condition, this can certainly add to your emotional suffering and financial burden. Talking with supportive friends or family can help you in many ways. It can give you the opportunity to bounce off your thoughts, providing you with objective feedback and advice from people who can listen to your descriptions of your problems. Of course, the support of having friends to talk to is always helpful, even if they do not know how to offer concrete or objective benefits. Another Person's Attitude Is Not Your Problem You might be dealing with skepticism from an acquaintance, a friend or a family member. Keep in mind that some people are insensitive or lack empathy due to a lack of life experience or to delayed emotional maturity. Many unsympathetic people have lived through harsh treatment in their own lives, and having never received support for their own struggles, do not know how to give support. Final Thoughts Neurological symptoms are confusing for friends, family, and even co-workers. Unfortunately, this is why insincere people sometimes use neurological symptoms as their mechanism for fraud. Most doctors, especially neurologists, are well trained to easily recognize true neurological abnormalities. While it may take time, your disability from a stroke will get objectively and accurately sorted out, allowing you to get the support you deserve. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit