Pseudologia Fantastica (i.e. Pathological Lying) as a Possible Outcome of Complex Trauma
Updated: Sep 7
Theoretical and Conceptual Paper · Open Access
Kyd Shepherd
Clinical psychologist in private practice, Paris, France
Corresponding author: Kyd Shepherd, psychologue-counsellor@tutamail.com
Perspectives on Complex Trauma, Volume 6, Issue 1 (2025)
Published: December 2025
Abstract
Pseudologia Fantastica is an interesting syndrome as it is commonly talked about, yet remains elusive in many regards. Thus, this paper aims to shed light on its purpose within the mind of the pathological liar, as well as the potential unconscious ramifications of complex PTSD and psychotherapeutic treatment. In order to explore these topics, we first define pseudologia fantastica and examine the interpersonal dynamics of this syndrome, after which we draw a direct link between pathological lies and the traumatic truth. Next, we present four different phases of psychotherapy. Lastly, we conclude with a discussion of the inherent limitations of this paper. In this essay, pseudologia fantastica is analysed as a standalone disorder and in light of psychoanalytic theories, namely those of Bion, Lacan, Klein, Kernberg, Fairbairn, and Kohut, as well as observations and ideas based on clinical experience with pathological liars.
Keywords: Pseudologia fantastica; pathological lying; complex trauma; complex PTSD; psychoanalytic theory; psychotherapy
Cite this article
Shepherd, K. (2025). Pseudologia fantastica (i.e. pathological lying) as a possible outcome of complex trauma. Perspectives on Complex Trauma, 6(1). https://www.complextraumainstitute.org/post/pseudologia-fantastica-i-e-pathological-lying-as-a-possible-outcome-of-complex-trauma
Copyright and licence
© 2025 The Author(s).
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Published by the Complex Trauma Institute.
ISSN 2635-0807