The chronically ill community has exploded in the last few years. With 15m people in England alone living with a long-term condition, and numbers rising, it’s no surprise chronic illness influencers on social media are attracting huge followings. But, as their profiles have grown, so have accusations of fakery. Can the accusers be right? Are some influencers faking illnesses for fame, money and attention? In this film, disabled journalist Octavia Woodward meets both accusers and their targets. And she meets psychologist Marc Feldman, who defined the condition Munchausens By Internet to describe people who fake illnesses online.
The chronically ill community has exploded in the last few years. With 15m people in England alone living with a long-term condition, and numbers rising, it’s no surprise chronic illness influencers on social media are attracting huge followings. But, as their profiles have grown, so have accusations of fakery. Can the accusers be right? Are some influencers faking illnesses for fame, money and attention? In this film, disabled journalist Octavia Woodward meets both accusers and their targets. And she meets psychologist Marc Feldman, who defined the condition Munchausens By Internet to describe people who fake illnesses online.
DirectorLucy Proctor
