…from the quill of Antisthenes the Younger
People have more important matters to discuss, such as the origin of the universe, or the state of the origin, but from time to time more mundane things are debated. Some claim that she is a typical product of socialist and trade unionist subculture, others that there is much deeper reason. To assist the debate, here is one of the many definitions (Truth about deception):
“A Sociopath
A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused – it is done to get one’s way). Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways (see, lovefraud, for more on sociopaths).
Compulsive Liar
A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit – an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.
The terms Pathological Liar, Habitual Liar and Chronic Liar are often used to refer to a Compulsive Liar.”
And from Wikipedia:
“The defining characteristics of pseudologia fantastica are:
- The stories told are not entirely improbable and often have some element of truth. They are not a manifestation of delusion or some broader type of psychosis: upon confrontation, the teller can admit them to be untrue, even if unwillingly.
- The fabricative tendency is long lasting; it is not provoked by the immediate situation or social pressure as much as it is an innate trait of the personality.
- A definitely internal, not an external, motive for the behavior can be discerned clinically: e.g., long-lasting extortion or habitual spousal battery might cause a person to lie repeatedly, without the lying being a pathological symptom.
- The stories told tend toward presenting the liar favorably. For example, the person might be presented as being fantastically brave, knowing or being related to many famous people.
Pseudologia fantastica may also present as false memory syndrome, where the sufferer genuinely believes that fictitious events have taken place, regardless that these events are fantasies. The sufferer may believe that he or she has committed superhuman acts of altruism and love or has committed equally grandiose acts of diabolical evil, for which the sufferer must atone, or has already atoned for in her/his fantasies.
Pathological liars
Lying is the act of both knowingly and intentionally/willfully making a false statement. Most people do so out of fear. Pathological lying is considered a mental illness, because it takes over rational judgement and progresses into the fantasy world and back.
Excessive lying is a common symptom of several mental illnesses. For instance people who suffer from antisocial personality disorder use lying to benefit from others. Some individuals with borderline personality disorder lie for attention by claiming they’ve been treated poorly. Pathological lying, on the other hand, can be described as an addiction to lying. It is when an individual consistently lies for no personal gain. The lies are commonly transparent and often seem rather pointless.
There are many consequences of being a pathological liar. Due to lack of trust, most pathological liars’ relationships and friendships fail. If the disease continues to progress, lying could become so severe as to cause legal problems, including but not limited to fraud.
Psychotherapy appears to be one of the only methods to treat a person suffering from pathological lying. There has been no research done regarding the use of pharmaceutical medication to treat pathological liars. Some research suggests that certain people may have a “predisposition to lying”.
Pathological lying is a complex phenomenon, differing from other mental illnesses. It has many life-changing consequences for those that have to live with the illness. Currently, there is not enough research in the area of pathological lying to guarantee a cure.”
I sincerely hope that the above would be of some help in your deliberations.
I would say sociopath. Also as in “pathetic socialist”.
Whatever excuse her psychiatrists will come up with at her trial, she is definitely dishonest. The way she set up that press conference!By the way, I love the way you wrote this article.
It’s a long way to elections… I really liked your article. keep up the good work.
She is just the right person to lead Australia to economic oblivion.
She is the best Labor can produce.
No, she is not a paathological liar. She is just a typical Labor person.
That’s politics.
She is a person of highest integrity.
If she calls an early elections, you can get rid of her.
Don’t try to find some psychiatric excuses for her. She is responsible for her action, as, hopefully, some jury in not too distant future will find.
She is THE nutjob.
Even Manhattan cocktails are too much for her.
Not only she is crazy, but also she can’t handle her drink.
She is mad like a hatter. Or Conroy.
She’s just as crazy and rude as all you Aussies. She is YOUR politician.
That woman brings womanhood into disrepute.
A pathetic pathological liar.
She really may be preparing a psychiatric defense to the AWU charges. Any psychiatrist would have to testify she doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong.
You have brought up very good points, I think psychiatrists are salivating. Such a patient! Such publicity!