Compulsive Liar Personality Disorder

The DSM-IV-TR, the most popular diagnostic tool used be modern psychologists, does not recognize a specific diagnosis called "Compulsive Liar Personality Disorder." However, there are several personality disorders that encompass compulsive lying.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Borderline personality disorder is a characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect, and impulsivity. Included in the behavior of borderline patients is a tendency to compulsively lie.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for others. A diagnostic feature of antisocial personality disorder is deceptiveness. Of all personality disorders, antisocial personality disorder is the most likely to be characterized by a tendency to lie.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a need to be the center of attention. This can include embellishing stories and outright lying.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Those with narcissistic personality disorder also seek attention, however unlike the histrionics, those with narcissistic tendencies do not care what others think of them, as they think of themselves as superior. They show little regard for others and may be prone to lying.

Conduct Disorder

• Conduct disorder is not a personality disorder, but rather a childhood disorder often seen as a precursor to adult antisocial personality disorder. Conduct disorder has the same general traits as antisocial personality, including deceitfulness as a symptom.