pseudologia

Pseudologia fantastica, often shortened to pseudologia, is a term used to describe a pattern of compulsive lying or fantastical storytelling. Individuals who exhibit pseudologia may present elaborate and often highly improbable tales as if they were factual. These stories can range from exaggerated personal achievements to entirely fabricated life events.

It is important to distinguish pseudologia from deliberate deception for personal gain. While lying is a component, pseudologia is characterized by the compulsive nature of the storytelling and often appears to be driven by internal psychological factors rather than external motivations like financial gain or social manipulation. The individual may appear to genuinely believe their own fabrications, or at least struggle to differentiate between their stories and reality.

Pseudologia is not a recognized mental disorder in major diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5. However, it can be a symptom or a characteristic associated with various psychological conditions, including factitious disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and sometimes, though less commonly, antisocial personality disorder. The motivations behind pseudologia can be complex and may include a need for attention, admiration, or a way to cope with feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem. Treatment, if sought, typically focuses on addressing the underlying psychological issues.