[8] Frequently involved in prescription fraud are narcotics, stimulants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, tranquilizers and other psychoactive substances manufactured for use in legitimate medical treatment.
Most people would regard defrauding an insurance company, by reporting a false injury, as an antisocial act.
In contrast, the malingering of a prisoner-of-war, who is attempting to manipulate his or her captors, would be seen by most compatriots as a skillful coping mechanism.
[9] Some patients of hypochondria, factitious disorder and factitious disorder imposed on another will visit multiple health care providers to find a medical opinion, diagnosis or treatment that they feel the need to get,[2][3][4][5] not specifically in search of prescription drugs, for no material benefit[10][11] and even incurring in significant costs, debts or losses.
This kind of doctor shopping lacks intention to commit malingering for material gain and is the result of such mental conditions.