Munchausen syndrome

Munchausen syndrome was a psychiatric disorder which afflicted some humans, in which the sufferer will feign illness, or purposely make themselves ill, in order to gain attention, sympathy, and/or comfort. A related disorder, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, leads the sufferer to cause illness or harm to another, in order that they themselves can provide aid.

In 2377, Dr. Sarjenka theorized that that series of mechanical problems plaguing Deep Space 10 were being caused by an individual -- later discovered to be Lieutenant Ajit Ross -- seeking to draw attention to himself by demonstrating his abilities to track them down and repair them, a condition analogous to Munchausen syndrome.