Feigning sickness is a form of malingering, which is the act of pretending to be ill or injured in order to avoid work or other obligations. Malingering is often used as an excuse to get out of work or school, and can also be used to gain sympathy or attention. Feigning sickness is a form of malingering that involves pretending to be ill or injured in order to avoid work or other obligations. It is usually done by exaggerating symptoms or inventing them altogether.