A "malingerer" is someone who pretends to be sick or exaggerates their illness in order to avoid doing work or fulfilling responsibilities. Full definition
In films, however, the shifty - eyed, weak - chinned Rice was forever typecast as malingerers, wastrels, back - stabbers, and modern - day Uriah Heeps. (rottentomatoes.com)
Orwell was on to something, for there does seem to be an element of fantasy in Scobie's words, whether it's a lunatic's fantasy or just that of a spiritual malingerer. (firstthings.com)