Obsessive Compulsive Disorder– pathological lying has been found in some people struggling with OCD as a negative coping mechanism, employed to create affiliative relationships with others or to attempt to cover their OCD symptoms.Narcissistic Personality Disorder – the exaggerated sense of self-importance that is a key characteristic of NPD can be manifested in a compulsive liar’s boastful lies about their personal accomplishments, social connections, or career achievements.Some common conditions linked to pathological lying include: However, psychiatrists have found that pathological lying is often connected to other mental health conditions, particularly personality disorders. In some cases, pathological lying is a singular disorder known as pseudologia fantastica or factitious disorder, in which the person’s main symptom is the compulsive need to lie about both big and small issues for no clear reason. In order to make this diagnosis, a mental health specialist will need to consider a variety of factors, including whether common characteristics of the condition are present, and how long symptoms of this disorder have been occurring. Is there a pathological liar test?Ĭurrently, there is no standardised, medically accepted pathological liar test. Despite scepticism or frustration from others with the lack of truthfulness, pathological liars often display little concern or guilt about getting found out. When further questioned, a compulsive liar might give quick and detailed responses that only vaguely answer the question. This could include creating a completely false personal history, making up a fictional relationship with a celebrity, or claiming to be suffering from a dire illness. Pathological lies are continuous, compulsive, complex, and can occur for no apparent reason. Similarly, a lie from time to time, such as an occasional lie told to avoid conflict or blame, is problematic but not necessarily a sign that someone is mentally ill. White lies are told without any ill-intent, and are generally considered to be harmless. You could truthfully tell your friend, for example, that you think his new haircut makes him look ten years older, but you don’t want to make him feel bad, so you instead say it looks great. A white lie, or a lie told to avoid hurt or ill-feelings in another person, is a common by-product of many social interactions. There is a significant difference between pathological lies and white lies. What Makes a Pathological Lie Different from Other Lies? If you notice someone frequently lying about their health, wealth, or career status, this could be a sign of pathological lying. The lies may make the person telling them seem like a hero, or a victim – pathological liars sometimes tell lies to gain sympathy or admiration.Believing (or seeming to believe) their own lies – some experts believe that because people who pathologically lie do so with great ease and frequency, they may not always remember what is real, and what they’ve made up.Telling lies that are complicated, dramatic, and detailed – though the stories might seem far-fetched, the convincing way they are told in a pathological lie can make them seem believable.Lying without any benefit or reason– do you notice your friend lying seemingly only for the sake of lying? This is a common trait of pathological lying, and a clear sign that lying has become reflexive and habitual.Some common characteristics of pathological lying include: The lies may vary in terms of function – while some may be told in order to portray the person in a positive or sympathetic light, others may have no clear purpose. What is Pathological Lying?Ī pathological liar is broadly defined as a person who tells compulsive, elaborate lies. Understanding the nuances of this complex issue can help you know if your loved one is struggling with this condition, and how to support a compulsive liar. Pathological lying is a unique type of mental health disorder that often co-occurs with other mental health conditions. This can occur for a variety of reasons, and ascertaining the root cause of dishonesty in a compulsive liar is critical in addressing the problem and beginning to rebuild relationships. As trust is a fundamental component of relationships, repeated violations of it indicate serious problems are afoot. Persistent dishonesty is a clear sign of something gone wrong in a friend or loved one. But what do you do when you realise the person you love is a pathological liar? While the occasional white lie is considered to be a normal part of social interactions, repeated and elaborate fabrications cross into a very different territory.
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