Pathological lying

"Pseudologia fantastica" redirects here. Not to be confused with Pseudologia Fantastica (song).
"Mythomaniac" redirects here. Not to be confused with Mythomaniac (TV series).
Pathological lying
Other namesPseudologia fantastica, mythomania, compulsive lying
SpecialtyPsychiatry

Pathological lying, also known as pseudologia fantastica (Latin for "fantastic pseudology"), is a chronic behavior characterized by the habitual or compulsive tendency to lie.[1][2][3][4] It involves a pervasive pattern of intentionally making false statements with the aim to deceive others, sometimes for no clear or apparent reason, and even if the truth would be beneficial to the liar. People who engage in pathological lying often report being unaware of the motivations for their lies.[5][6][7][8][9]

In psychology and psychiatry, there is an ongoing debate about whether pathological lying should be classified as a distinct disorder or viewed as a symptom of other underlying conditions.[3][4] The lack of a widely agreed-upon description or diagnostic criteria for pathological lying has contributed to the controversy surrounding its definition.[4][7][8] But efforts have been made to establish diagnostic criteria based on research and assessment data, aligning with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).[10] Various theories have been proposed to explain the causes of pathological lying, including stress, an attempt to shift locus of control to an internal one, and issues related to low self-esteem.[8][6][7][9] Some researchers have suggested a biopsychosocial-developmental model to explain this concept.[11] While theories have explored potential causes, the precise factors contributing to pathological lying have yet to be determined.

The phenomenon was first described in medical literature in 1890 by G. Stanley Hall and in 1891 by Anton Delbrück.[1][3][9]

  1. ^ a b Hart CL, Curtis DA (7 September 2020). "What Is Pathological Lying". Psychology Today. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  2. ^ Griffith EE, Baranoski M, Dike CC (1 September 2005). "Pathological Lying Revisited". Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. 33 (3). American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law: 342–349. PMID 16186198. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Dike CC (June 1, 2008). "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?". Psychiatric Times. 25 (7). Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Curtis DA, Hart CL (December 2020). "Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity". Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice. 2 (2): 62–69. doi:10.1176/appi.prcp.20190046. PMC 9176035. PMID 36101870.
  5. ^ Thom R, Teslyar P, Friedman R (2017). "Pseudologia Fantastica in the Emergency Department: A Case Report and Review of the Literature". Case Reports in Psychiatry. 2017: 1–5. doi:10.1155/2017/8961256. PMC 5442346. PMID 28573061.
  6. ^ a b Dike CC, Baranoski M, Griffith EE (2005). "Pathological lying revisited". The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. 33 (3): 342–349. PMID 16186198.
  7. ^ a b c Treanor KE. Defining, understanding, and diagnosing pathological lying (pseudologia fantastica): an empirical and theoretical investigation into what constitutes pathological lying [Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) Thesis]. Wollongong, NSW: School of Psychology, University of Wollongong; 2012. Available at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3811/. Accessed December 2, 2019
  8. ^ a b c Grey JS, Durns T, Kious BM (May 2020). "Pseudologia Fantastica: An Elaborate Tale of Combat-related PTSD". Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 26 (3): 241–245. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000462. PMID 32421295. S2CID 218691784.
  9. ^ a b c Pathological Lying: Theory, Research, and Practice. American Psychological Association. 2022. ISBN 978-1-4338-3622-0.
  10. ^ Curtis D (June 22, 2020). "Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity". Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice. 2 (2): 62–69. doi:10.1176/appi.prcp.20190046. PMC 9176035. PMID 36101870.
  11. ^ Curtis & Hart (August 2022). Pathological Lying: Theory, Research, and Practice (1 ed.). American Psychological Association. ISBN 978-1-4338-3622-0.