Sam Elliot..................Today, we are going to talk about lying sacks of shit.
Pseudologia fantastica, or pathological lying, is one of several terms applied to the behaviour of habitual or compulsive fibbing.
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 more wider form of psychosis: upon confrontation (like a lawsuit), the person can acknowledge them to be untrue, even if unwillingly (like posting a retraction and then retracting the retraction).
Second, the fabricative tendency is long lasting (for a long time); 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 failed personal relationships might cause a person to lie repeatedly, without the lying being a pathological symptom.
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 (like saving lives during a hurricane) or knowing many famous people (like high ranking politicos).
I personally find the best course of treatment is to beat the living crap out of the patient until they shut up.
Sam Elliot
