Pathological lying: Difference between revisions
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{{One source|date=November 2009}} |
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'''Pseudologia fantastica''', '''mythomania''', |
'''Pseudologia fantastica''', '''mythomania''', '''pathological lying''', or '''Adam Farnsworth''' is one of several terms applied by [[psychiatrist]]s to the behavior of habitual or compulsive [[lie|lying]].<ref name=jaapl>{{cite web|author=Charles C. Dike, MD, MRCPsych, MPH, et al.|url=http://www.jaapl.org/cgi/content/full/33/3/342?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=malingering&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=10&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT |
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|title=Pathological Lying Revisited|publisher=Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law|accessdate=2008-01-21}}</ref><ref name=Dike>Dike CC. [http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1162950 "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?"] Psychiatric Times. 2008;25(7).</ref> It was first described in the medical literature in 1891 by Anton Delbrueck.<ref name=Dike/> Although it is a controversial topic,<ref name=Dike/> 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."<ref name=jaapl/> |
|title=Pathological Lying Revisited|publisher=Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law|accessdate=2008-01-21}}</ref><ref name=Dike>Dike CC. [http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1162950 "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?"] Psychiatric Times. 2008;25(7).</ref> It was first described in the medical literature in 1891 by Anton Delbrueck.<ref name=Dike/> Although it is a controversial topic,<ref name=Dike/> 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."<ref name=jaapl/> |
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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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, they can't acknowledge them to be untrue, |
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, they can't acknowledge them to be untrue, so often offenders will change schools to avoid confrontation. |
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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. |
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. |
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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.<ref name=Dike/> 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. |
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.<ref name=Dike/> 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. |
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Revision as of 17:21, 13 April 2010
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2009) |
Pseudologia fantastica, mythomania, pathological lying, or Adam Farnsworth 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]
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 [citation needed]. Forty percent of cases reported central nervous system abnormality (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 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, they can't acknowledge them to be untrue, so often offenders will change schools to avoid confrontation. 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.
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 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 fantasies.
Yet another facet of the disorder presents where the sufferer has been repeatedly called upon to recite lists of alleged injustices against others. These events take place where a person is involuntarily confined and deprived of sleep.
New-age cults center around highly charismatic individuals who may suffer pseudologia fantastica and convince their followers that they have received visions or Divine revellation. Charles Manson of the Manson Family was able to control his followers by use of his near photographic memory, and his ability to recite his lies verbatim.
See also
- Confabulation
- Ganser's syndrome
- Factitious disorder
- Malingering
- Psychopathy
- Baron von Münchhausen
- Brainwashing
Footnotes
- ^ a b Charles C. Dike, MD, MRCPsych, MPH; et al. "Pathological Lying Revisited". Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d Dike CC. "Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?" Psychiatric Times. 2008;25(7).
Matt Weaver
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.
External links
