Someone in my family has a problem that I have watched develop over a period of about thirty years. He exaggerates everything. If he were a woman, he would be called a “drama queen” – except it goes much deeper than that.
He is never just taken to an emergency room; he is rushed and the situation is handled “stat.”
He always knows someone who has access to intelligence information that is shared with him in small segments and which he feels no hesitation in sharing with us.
He is always the hero of whatever story he is telling.
One of his children, according to him, is endowed with mystical powers.
He is an authority on the details of all of our lives even though he was not a part of those relationships and events.
He is able to interpret what a doctor is “really” trying to say even when the doctor isn’t saying it and expects the rest of the family to then act upon it as if the doctor had actually said it. (“The doctor gave me a ‘knowing look’ and I knew what he meant.”)
He changes stories from the past to make them prettier and nicer and more favorable to all involved than they were.
Members of the family have backed away from contradicting him because he becomes belligerent (though not violent) when confronted. When he is proven wrong, he never acknowledges it, but remains stone silent and changes the subject.
This older man is otherwise intelligent, witty, talented, generous and kind. He is a very loving person and very loveable except when these qualities make it uncomfortable to be around him or have a normal adult conversation with him. I’m not even sure that he is aware that much of what he is saying is false and that may be important.
I’m too close to the situation to be objective. I know that some of it has to do with needing to feel worthy, but I don’t think that is all there is to it.
Are any of you familiar with a disorder like this? I know that no professionals would want to actually diagnose a patient sight-unseen, but any insights, suggestions and links would be appreciated.
