Pseudologia fantastica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pseudologia fantastica, or pathological lying, is one of several terms applied by psychiatrists to the behaviour of habitual or compulsive lying.[1]

It was first described in the medical literature in 1891. One definition of pathological lying is the following:

Pathological lying is falsification entirely disproportionate to any discernible end in view, may be extensive and very complicated, and may manifest over a period of years or even a lifetime.[1]

The defining characteristics of pseudologia fantastica are that, first, the stories are not entirely improbable and often have some element of truth. They aren't a manifestation of delusion or some more wider form of psychosis: upon confrontation, the person can acknowledge them to be untrue, even if unwillingly. Second, the fabricative tendency is long lasting; it is not provoked by the immediate situation or social pressure as much as it originates with the person's innate urge to act in accordance. Third, a definitely internal, not an external, motive for the behavior can be clinically discerned. E.g. long lasting extortion or habitual spousal battery might cause a person to lie repeatedly, without the lying being a pathological symptom. Fourth, the stories told tend towards presenting the person in question in a good light. For example, the person might be presented as being fantastically brave, knowing or being related to many famous people.

Pseudologia fantastica is not currently listed as a symptom in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, nor in the The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Not much has been established about pathological lying, except that it is the mental state of the liar and not the lie that is abnormal.[2]

Amongst the psychiatric profession, the condition holds perhaps even legendary value, thanks to Sigmund Freud's treatment of the subject.

Contents

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Charles C. Dike, MD, MRCPsych, MPH, et al. Pathological Lying Revisited. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
  2. ^ Commentary: Getting at the Truth about Pathological Lying -- Grubin 33 (3): 350 -- Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online. www.jaapl.org. Retrieved on 2008-02-21.

[edit] References and Links

  • King, B. H. and Ford, C. V. (1988). Pseudologia fantastica. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 77, 1-6.
  • Hardy, T. J. and Reed, A. (1998). Pseudologia fantastica, factitious disorder and impostership: a deception syndrome. Med. Sci. Law 38, 198-201.
  • Newmark, N., Adityanjee and Kay, J. (1998). Pseudologia fantastica and factitious disorder: review of the literature and a case report. Compr. Psychiatry. 40, 89-95.

[edit] External links

This psychology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Languages