The Munchausen Complex: Socialization of Violence and Abuse: 2nd Edition

Socialization of violence and abuse is often highly structured through the Munchausen Complex.Munchausen Syndrome occurs when an individual harms themselves for attention and self-glorification.Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is when an individual harms another, usually under their care. Attention and self-glorification are achieved through their victim’s subsequent medical treatment. Munchausen by Proxy is a crime with a victim.Violence and abuse in families are often passed down from one generation to the next and may be termed Transgenerational Munchausen Syndrome as these families expand and their habits are introduced into society.Munchausen Syndrome in Collective Transmission occurs when such practices become an acceptable part of society often eventuating into full acculturation. In this way societies attach themselves to self-glorification with various explanations of justificationAs socialized beings, we are often unaware why we think what we think and why we do what we do. Exploring beneath the surface, we may discover we are not who we think we are. Are our subtle perversions and aberrations so different from those of the ancients, or other cultures we label primitive?

Dr. Richard L. Matteoli is a graduate of St. Mary’s College of California in Moraga, administered by the Christian Brothers where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1971 he graduated from the Jesuit Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Matteoli worked primarily in the military and his public service work was extensive. He spent most of his Navy military career attached to the United States Marine Corps. He worked concurrently in the military, in private practice, with California Indian Health, the Solano County Public Health Clinic for the poor and the Solano County Jail.