What is the medical term for someone who frequently pretends to be ill?

The term for someone who frequently pretends to be ill is "malingerer." This term specifically refers to individuals who intentionally feign or exaggerate illness or disability to gain some sort of benefit, such as financial compensation, avoidance of responsibility, or other forms of secondary gain. Malingering involves a conscious deception and is distinguished from other conditions like somatic symptom disorder, where a person genuinely believes they are experiencing physical symptoms without intentional deceit.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different concepts. "Somatic" pertains to physical symptoms or aspects of the body but does not imply any intention to deceive. "Neurotic" relates to a category of mental health disorders but does not specifically address the act of pretending to be ill. "Psychosomatic" refers to physical symptoms that arise from psychological factors, indicating a genuine experience of symptoms rather than deceit. Thus, malingerer accurately captures the behavior of someone who deliberately pretends to be sick.