Pathological lying: Difference between revisions
→See also: removed link to movie "Big Fish". |
|||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
* [[Psychopathy]] |
* [[Psychopathy]] |
||
* [[Baron von Münchhausen]] |
* [[Baron von Münchhausen]] |
||
* [[Munchausen syndrome]] |
|||
* [[Brainwashing]] |
* [[Brainwashing]] |
||
Revision as of 16:01, 11 July 2011
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2009) |
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 described first in medical literature during 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]
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 was found by the study to be equal in men and women.[3] Forty percent of cases reported central nervous system abnormality[3] (characterized by epilepsy, abnormal EEG findings, head trauma, or CNS infection).[citation needed]
Characteristics
The defining characteristics of pseudologia fantastica are that, first, the stories told are not entirely improbable and often have some element of truth. They are not a manifestation of delusion or some more intense type of psychosis: upon confrontation, the teller can admit 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 is an innate trait of the personality.
Third, a definitely internal, not an external, motive for the behavior can be discerned clinically 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 toward presenting the liar favorably. For example, the person might be presented as being fantastically brave, knowing or being related to many famous people.
Pseudologia fantastica may also present as false memory syndrome, where the sufferer genuinely believes that fictitious events have taken place, regardless that these events are fantasies. The sufferer may believe that he or she has committed superhuman acts of altruism and love or has committed equally grandiose acts of diabolical evil, for which the sufferer must atone, or has already atoned for in his/her fantasies.
See also
- Confabulation
- Ganser's syndrome
- Factitious disorder
- Malingering
- Psychopathy
- Baron von Münchhausen
- Munchausen syndrome
- Brainwashing
References
- ^ 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): 342–9. PMID 16186198.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d Dike, Charles C. (June 1, 2008). "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?". 25 (7).
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b King BH, Ford CV (1988). "Pseudologia fantastica". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 77 (1): 1–6. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1988.tb05068.x. PMID 3279719.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)
Further reading
- Hardie TJ, Reed A (1998). "Pseudologia fantastica, factitious disorder and impostership: a deception syndrome". Medicine, Science, and the Law. 38 (3): 198–201. PMID 9717367.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - Newmark N, Adityanjee, Kay J (1999). "Pseudologia fantastica and factitious disorder: review of the literature and a case report". Comprehensive Psychiatry. 40 (2): 89–95. doi:10.1016/S0010-440X(99)90111-6. PMID 10080254.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)