Which of the following best defines malingering?

Malingering is characterized by the intentional production or exaggeration of symptoms to achieve a specific personal gain, such as financial compensation, avoiding work, or obtaining drugs. This behavior is deliberate, as the individual is consciously aware of their actions and the symptoms they are portraying are not genuine or reflective of a true medical condition.

In contrast, experiencing unexplained physical symptoms pertains to somatic complaints that are not intentionally produced and may reflect underlying health issues rather than a strategy for personal gain. Seeking medical attention due to genuine illness emphasizes the authentic nature of an individual's health condition, which is not aligned with malingerers who seek to deceive.

Additionally, displaying symptoms due to psychological stress suggests a response to emotional challenges rather than a manipulative intent to gain something through feigned illness. Therefore, the definition of malingering specifically revolves around the voluntary induction of symptoms for ulterior motives, making the choice that identifies this concept the most accurate in describing malingering.