Mythomania is characterized by an uncontrollable compulsive tendency to tell lies and make up stories. The mythomaniac constantly stages himself in situations that enhance him. This disorder remains very difficult to treat today, because the person does not recognize himself as sick.
When was the last time you lied? Yesterday, before yesterday? Do you remember why? Explaining a delay, escaping a lunch, or getting out of an awkward situation? "Everyone lies , explains Michel Lejoyeux, professor of psychiatry and addictology at the University of Paris VII and head of department in several Parisian hospitals. These arrangements with the truth are called social or utilitarian lies. You use them because they suit you"
That doesn't make you a mythomaniac. First described in the early 20th century by psychiatrist Ernest Dupré, mythomania "evokes a storytelling impulse, a tendency to lie repeatedly and not just for utilitarian reasons, explains Professor Lejoyeux. The mythomaniac lies for pleasure, conscious or unconscious to pretend to be someone important. He can't help it.
An admirable career, thrilling journeys, extraordinary encounters… What the mythomaniac recounts is always extraordinary. He constantly puts himself on the stage in events that highlight him. "There are also very often problems with alcohol or drugs, in particular because of the need to calm down, adds the teacher. There are also frequent behavioral break-ins, such as thefts. »
Does the mythomaniac realize that he is making stuff up? Yes and no, and in a variable way depending on the case. “He may be aware of it, but in a reduced way. This is why we have sometimes been able to speak of multiple personalities in the mythomaniac. » Because it is personality that we are talking about here. In the same way that one can have a slightly hysterical, seductive or obsessive personality, it is possible to have a personality tinged with mythomania. “By definition, the mythomaniac is not psychotic , says Michel Lejoyeux. With him, there is no alteration of reality, he does not see things that do not exist. »
Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the origin of this disorder. For some psychiatrists, it could be due to emotional or sexual trauma pushing the mythomaniac to flee reality. Others rather evoke addictive problems, with a real addiction to lying, or an uncontrollable need to be the center of attention.
Anyway, mythomania is very difficult to treat, because the subject does not consider himself sick. He can't bear to be confronted with his lies. "No one has ever come to see me in consultation saying "I'm a mythomaniac" , says Professor Lejoyeux. You can't directly address mythomania with the person who suffers from it, it's too aggressive. » On the other hand, it is possible to bring the person to consult by putting them face to face with the consequences of their disorder:financial or legal problems in the event of theft, depression, addictions... psychiatric or psychological support may be put in place.
