[Lie, whacking lie and pseudologia phantastica--pathological lying in factitious disorder].

Pseudologia phantastica refers to chronic pathological lying without a clear motive. It is a symptom in the factitious disorder in adults, Munchausen syndrome and an illness made up for or inflicted on a child. Child abuse is often involved. Patients making up or causing symptoms for themselves of their child may have been exposed to similar behavior as a child. Some of them have received care and attention only through an illness. Pseudologia phantastica may then in adulthood be directed to making up or causing illnesses for oneself or another person.