Narcissism and lying often go hand in hand. A person with narcissistic personality disorder often tells lies effortlessly and may have a talent for making others question reality. A narcissist may lie for a variety of purposes, including seeking admiration or hiding her faults or mistakes. He might also lie to seek attention. In some cases, a person with this type of personality disorder may even lie to make the person who is lying question their own sanity.
Often the connection between narcissism and lying is demonstrated by a narcissistic person's need for people to admire them. In an effort to make themselves feel more important or more talented or powerful than he is, an individual with a narcissistic personality may exaggerate by sharing details of his accomplishments. He will sometimes even tell lies about another person in an effort to diminish that party's accomplishments. By doing so, a narcissistic person can actually hope to make themselves look better in the eyes of those around them.
Many people who have narcissistic disorders also seem to have a need to be right or not have obvious flaws. As such, the connection between narcissism and lying may involve a person's desire to avoid criticism, even nonverbal criticism. For example, if a narcissist is asked whether or not he made a mistake, he may lie about it to make sure he doesn't appear flawed. He could do it even if the matter he lied about wasn't serious. People with these disorders are often unable to admit even the smallest and most insignificant mistakes.
The connection between narcissism and lying is also evident in a narcissist's tendency to seek attention. This may involve making up stories about yourself in an effort to make others see you as more interesting. A narcissist may also tell lies to make people feel sorry for him in an effort to gain attention as a victim.
Interestingly, a person with a mental health disorder that involves narcissism can sometimes make those around them feel that they are also mentally challenged. Sometimes narcissists are so adept at lying that they can cause other parties to question their views of the truth. For example, a person with one of these conditions may lie about something that recently happened to a person who actually witnessed the action or event. In some cases, the narcissist is so persuasive, pushy, and even outraged at being accused of lying that the person who told the lie questions their own recollection of the events.