What is a common motivation behind malingering?

Malingering typically involves the intentional faking or exaggerating of symptoms for the purpose of achieving a specific external benefit, often referred to as secondary gain. This might include financial compensation, avoiding responsibilities, or securing medications. Individuals who malinger are usually motivated by these advantages rather than a genuine need for medical assistance or attention.

In contrast, seeking genuine medical help denotes a sincere request for treatment and care, which does not align with the motivations behind malingering. Attracting attention from others can sometimes be a part of the behavior associated with those who malinger, but it is not the primary motivation; those attempting to malinger are usually more focused on the tangible benefits than on the attention itself. Fulfilling legal obligations might be relevant in specific scenarios but is not a typical driving force behind malingering behaviors. Thus, the focus on secondary gain motives captures the essence of why someone might engage in malingering.