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What Is the Scientific Name for a Compulsive Liar?

Lying is a fairly common act in which a person makes a statement that differs from the truth. However, some people seem to be unable to stop themselves from lying, which is sometimes called compulsive lying. These condition is different than a similar symptom, confabulation, in which the patient will agree with any statement made to him regardless of its veracity.

  1. Identification

    • The scientific name for a compulsive liar is a pathological liar. It can also be called mythomania or pseudologia fantastica.

    Psychiatric Classification

    • Pathological lying is not currently listed as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the authoritative book on mental disorders used by health professionals.

    Controversy

    • Some researchers, including Dr. Dike at the Yale University School of Medicine, believe that it should be listed as a mental disorder, because pathological liars may not be conscious of the fact that they are lying.

    Treatments

    • Currently there are no widely accepted treatments for pathological lying.

    First Mention

    • Pathological lying was first mentioned in medical writings in 1891.

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