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Pseudologia fantastica, mythomania, or pathological lying, is one of several terms applied by psychiatrists to the behavior of habitual or compulsive lying.^[1][2] It was first described in the medical literature in 1891 by Anton Delbrueck.^[2] Although it is a controversial topic,^[2] 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]

Contents 1 Epidemiology 2 Characteristics 3 See also 4 Footnotes 5 References and links 6 External links

[edit] Epidemiology

Although little has been written about pathological lying, one study found a prevalence of almost 1% in 1000 repeat juvenile offenders. The average age of onset is 16 years, and its occurrence is equal in men and women. Persons who are considered pathological liars have average or slightly below average intelligence, with better verbal IQ than performance IQ. Forty percent of cases reported central nervous system abnormality (characterized by epilepsy, abnormal EEG findings, head trauma, or CNS infection).[2]

[edit] Characteristics

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 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.^[2] 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.

[edit] See also

• Confabulation
• Ganser's syndrome
• Factitious disorder
• Malingering
• Psychopathy
• Baron von Münchhausen
  • Munchausen syndrome

[edit] Footnotes

Matt Weaver

[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

• PubMed - pseudologia fantastica - related articles
• "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?"

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