Mental disorder?

I know someone who is a pathological liar. Everything this person says is a complete lie. I am starting to wonder if this person is delusional or if they are just cold hearted. I don't know if there are mental disorders that could cause this or if medication could help this situation. I am also trying to figure out a way to tell this person that they need not lie to me. I am so sick of it I could seriously walk away from this person and never talk to them again, although i don't want to do that if in fact this habitual lying could be caused by some kind of mental disorder. Thoughts?
Answer:
pathological in itself implies a mental disorder. I'm not sure whether it is an actual diagnosis or not, but I don't think it's because he/she is cold-hearted. There's something definitely off about that, and maybe you could suggest going to a psychiatrist or something.

and to the post above me--being delusional is a form of mental disorder too, such as paranoid schizophrenia and other stuff. so i dont think it should be dismissed ilke that.

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this person is delusional. seriously walk away from this person and never talk to them again- stop fantasizing about a medical cure.

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If you're a true friend, drag this person, kicking and screaming and whatever, to a therapist.

If you're not that good a friend, strongly suggest they get therapy and then move on.

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Well the first girl that answered is very unkind you don't through someone away. You friend is mentally ill a Pathological Liar doesn't always know they are lying they believe what they say.
I have a 40 yr old niece that lies through her teeth and most times thinks she is telling the truth. So urge your friend to get help

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Do you know why they are lying to you? Are they lying to attempt to get something from you perhaps? Or do they just seem to have no idea what they're doing?

Are the lies in any way believable or are they just grandiose and almost silly? Do they contain any unreal elements, like "Oh, I didn't catch the bus here, I flew in my space ship!". If so, that may indicate a level of schizophrenia - they're not lying, they just see the world in a far stranger way than the average person does.

If they're attempting to make you do something, they could just be opportunistic or they may have Antisocial Personality Disorder. If the latter - be careful. Try not to let them take advantage of you in either case. What you're saying about coldheartedness - that could be a symptom of Antisocial Personality Disorder - they can't care about anyone else but themselves and see everyone as an opportunity to increase their pleasure and power.

Antisocial Personality Disorder sufferers sometimes have very grandiose ("awesome lies" as Homer Simpson says) lies - but schizophrenic perceptions/delusions are often wholly fantastic. Schizophrenia is somewhat treatable with anti-psychotic medication coupled with therapy.

Whatever the result - try and follow up on this - if the person has schizophrenia, they're going to need help, they might be a danger to themselves - if they have Antisocial Personality Disorder - they may be a danger to others and someone needs to know in any case. They could also just be an exploitative person as well - so watch yourself!

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