APD and PATHOLOGICAL LYING

APD: A Personality Disorder
APD is a Cluster B Personality Disorder. People in this category continually disregard and violate the rights of others. They have patterns of inner experiences and behaviors that deviate from their society’s norms. Their cognition – viewing and interpreting themselves, people and events and affectivity – appropriateness of response, are abnormal. Interpersonal functioning and impulse control are affected.

APD: DSM IV TR Criteria
There’s an omnipresent pattern of disregard for and violation of the other’s rights, exhibited by the behavior of people, at least eighteen-years-old, that’s not caused by another psychiatric disorder or substances, as evidenced by at least three criteria:

Nonconformance to social norms, including crime
Repeated pathological lying, and taking advantage of others for egocentric pleasure and/or profit
Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead
Irritability and aggressive behavior that may include physical attacks
Reckless disregard for theirs and other people’s safety
Irresponsibility which may include failure to maintain acceptable job performance and/or other obligations
No remorse, being indifferent to or rationalizing, hurting and abusing others.
Sociopathy varies in degrees. The number of diagnosed sociopaths in psychiatric institutions is relatively small. Many are incarcerated, but more live in society. They might be con artists, imposters, tricksters, charlatans or unscrupulous professional or business people. They can be politicians, lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists and doctors.

Some mental health professionals use the terms Antisocial Personality Disorder or APD, psychopathy and sociopathy interchangeably although some others theorize that sociopathy is a type of psychopathy.

Early Recognition of Sociopathy
During the nineteenth century, morality was related to personality. In 1835, English psychiatrist James Pritchard coined the term moral insanity for criminals who had no self control and nor sense of ethics. These individuals were believed to have normal intellectual capabilities, but their behavior was improper and indecent.

Years later, the idea of psychopathic inferiority was developed. The prevailing assumption was that the nervous system was defective. In the early part of the twentieth century, the American Psychiatric Association defined what constituted a psychopath. They were amoral, antisocial, impulsive and irresponsible, satisfying their egocentric needs with without concern for consequences and had little guilt or anxiety.

A distinction between a sociopath and psychopath was formulated. Sociopaths were thought to act within the law; psychopaths violated the law. One mental health professional said these people’s behavior was acceptable to no one but themselves.

Mental health professionals noted that typical sociopaths were very charming. They speak well, are ingratiating and talk of their experiences. These experiences are often are often exaggerated and/or lies. They are often pathological liars. Their descriptions of events are generally different from others’ recollections.

Pathological Liars with APD and NPD
While this type of lying can be present in other psychiatric disorders, they are most prevalent in the APD and the NPD. The hallmark of the APD is lacking conscience. They’re exploitive, have no regard for others’ feelings and lie repeatedly. The hallmarks of the NPD are a sense of entitlement and grandiosity. They exaggerate their achievements, lack empathy and exploit others.

Treatment for these types of liars must begin with addressing the personality disorders. This includes psychotropic medications and therapy which usually is behavioral and cognitive behavioral. Both therapies focus on changing the behavior of the patient with APD or NPD. Cognitive therapy also identifies and changes dysfunctional thinking and emotional responses.

Therapy requires cooperation from the patient. The problem with this is that treating people with APD and NPD can be difficult because these individuals generally lie to the therapist about taking medications and their behavior. Many people with these conditions routinely fail to recognize their behavior as problematic and are therefore unlikely to seek psychological help. They seem content to continue to lie as long as their egocentric needs are being satisfied. Some NPDs, if committed to changing, can be helped. There is no known effective treatment for the APD.

Options - How to Deal with Pathological Liars
Coping with these liars can be frustrating. Sometimes it’s hard to separate truth from their lies. It’s best not to confront these liars directly because, they will probably become defensive and rationalize by lying again, they might be angry or they might exhibit both behaviors. There are other options for dealing with them.
Some believe that one should suggest the liar seek professional help. This can be a delicate situation because these liars don’t see anything wrong with their lying. Some believe their lies. In both cases it’s likely they would be offended and get angry. It’s the least desirable choice.
Others believe one should realize the person is a pathological liar and to ignore the lies.
People, when they hear two different versions of an event, can act confused and say, “I thought you said…. Please help me to understand.”
The last option is to end the relationship with the liar, if possible..