What's the condition called? Telling Grandiose or Bragging Lies

[Nehmo]

What’s the term for the condition in which the subject tells grandiose lies about who she/he is or what they’ve done. In a common example, someone, in order to impress others, will claim to be a CIA agent or a Mafia member.

I suppose you could say these people are simply lying, but often they are habitual about it and won’t back down even when challenged. It’s not clear if they believe these fantasies themselves.

I’ve looked at Narcissistic personality disorder, but I’m hesitant to use that term because the subject certainly isn’t in love with themselves, which is what “Narcissistic” implies. Actually, they are the opposite of in love with themselves. They perceive themselves as inferior and use the lies hoping to compensate.

I also could simply say the person is delusional. But that’s not quite accurate because, as I said, it’s not clear if they, themselves, actually believes these lies.

  `~- Nehmo

[S. Earl Martin]

Making a blanket diagonse would be difficult. It would have to be on an individual bases. It could be they are just a liar. Or It could be some kind of mental disorder. 

[Nehmo]

Making a blanket diagonse would be difficult. It would have to be on an individual bases. It could be they are just a liar. Or It could be some kind of mental disorder.

In this condition, the subject is a habitual liar, not just a liar, and the lies are in a particular category, which is self-aggrandizing. So, the subject habitually tells self-aggrandizing lies. I hesitate to say delusional because, as I said, the subject may, to themselves, understand that they are not speaking the truth. However, when the self-aggrandizing lies reach absurdity, the subject is certainly delusional in regard to what they perceive others would believe. 

[S. Earl Martin]

Again it would be difficult if not impossible to determine unless a professional did an evaluation and even then it may be just their opinion. I have known a number of people who lived somewhat normal lives, but would in certain circumstances make up obvious lies. What was their motivation? Who knows. It could be the old adage.
If you can't impress them with knowledge.
Baffle them with Bull Shit.

[Nehmo]

...would in certain circumstances make up obvious lies. What was their motivation? ...

What's obvious to one may not be to another. With these people, when you talk to them, you will notice a disconnect at a point. They may demonstrate completely rational thinking, and then, prompted by some unseen urge, go off on a totally unbelievable fantasy: "I work for the company, you know. I shouldn't be telling you this, but I'll risk trusting you with the information." If you challenge them on the absurdity, they'll act as though they, themselves, believe it is true.
There's even a movie based around the CIA agent fantasy, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind  [2002]. As I understand it, in real life, Chuck Barris, the protagonist of the supposedly-autobiographical movie, really does claim to have been a CIA agent.