Pseudologia Fantastica: A Case Report and Review of Existing Literature.

Abstract

Pseudologia fantastica (PF), also known as pathologic lying, compulsive lying, or mythomania, is a rare psychiatric syndrome involving enduring falsifications with extraordinarily colorful and detailed narratives. There is a limited amount of literature on PF, and it remains a challenge for clinicians to diagnose and manage. We present a case of PF with a focus on clinical features and management strategies. The literature on PF is reviewed using the PubMed database. Management strategies reported in previous case reports were successfully adapted for this patient. This report describes the clinical presentation of an individual with PF who experienced a range of psychiatric presentations and had a favorable response to psychotropic medication. Management of such patients should include collaborative effort from treatment teams to provide supportive listening and focus on building rapport with patients. Recognition of PF does not preclude other psychiatric conditions, and any coexisting psychiatric conditions should be treated following current guidelines.