Primary and secondary gain

In psychology, primary gain, or a reduction in anxiety, is the primary motivation for seeking help seen in those suffering from somatization disorders. It is also known as psychological gain, or paranosic gain.

By contrast, secondary gain is any covert advantage that is not directly related to the professed desired outcome. Secondary gain is not consciously known by the person; but motivates their behaviour all the same, often in a self-destructive way.

Common examples of secondary gain are; increased care, sympathy, and pity that one receives when suffering from psychologically induced physical symptoms and attention where a person desirous of attention might intentionally make some mistake that draws attention to themselves, such as a pratfall. It is also known as real gain, or epinosic gain.

Whenever a psychologist witnesses self-destructive behavior, they consider what secondary gains might motivate it.

Secondary gain is a term popularised by hypnotherapy and NLP.

It is important to recognize the difference between secondary gain and malingering, or lying.