Compulsive lying disorder is a serious disorder that can be hard to deal with. The lies can become addictive, and the person might not even realise that they are doing it. In this blog post, we will go over the causes of compulsive lying, how it is treated, and how to deal with it.
What is a Compulsive Liar?
A compulsive liar is someone who has the urge to lie and exaggerate the truth. Often, those who suffer from this disorder will say things they know they shouldn’t and just can’t help themselves. It can drive their loved ones away and have a negative effect on all their relationships. Compulsive liars also tend to be very manipulative and controlling. They will do anything to get their way.
What mental illness is associated with compulsive lying?
Compulsive lying can be a symptom of a mental health condition, particularly personality disorders. Pathological lying is characterised by frequent or habitual lying that is often done for no personal gain. People with personality disorders may frequently lie as a way to manipulate or control others, while those with a borderline personality disorder may lie impulsively.
While there’s no specific research examining the cause of depression or if it can be associated with compulsive eating is unclear. In the case of Bipolar Disorder, there is evidence of anecdote that has been linked to many other disorders, including Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All these diseases can also involve depression as well as compulsive lies; however, to say a compulsive lie is a symptom of depression is wrong.
Compulsive Lying vs. Pathological Lying
Often the words “compulsive lying” or “pathological lying” have been interchangeable. Medical studies currently do not differentiate them. Yet some psychiatrists have classed these terms as subtle and differing conditions. Compulsive lying enables an individual’s self-defence to tell lies without control. Some people are comfortable telling lies rather than telling the truth. They may frequently lie on important and irrelevant issues. People who lie are usually motivated by a desire to get something.
What are the causes of a compulsive lying disorder?
Compulsive lying disorder is a very severe form of compulsive behaviour. It is also known as pseudologia fantastica, pathological lying, and mythomania.
People who suffer from compulsive lying disorder often lie just for fun. They do it to get attention, to feel important, to make themselves feel better, or even to get out of trouble. The person may lie about their accomplishments, their relationships, or their finances, and they may do so even when there is no apparent benefit to doing so.
They are not aware that they are lying, and they believe the lie to be true. They often lie so much that they are always in a state of anxiety, always under stress and always putting themselves in dangerous situations. Too many lies, and the person is trapped in their own web of deception.
This obsession is usually developed as an attempt to cope with difficult emotions such as shame or anxiety. Growing up in emotionally unsafe environments may lead to habitual lying. Those are all possible reasons for this.
The reasons for these phenomena are initially unclear. It eventually becomes a means of avoidance of difficulty, even if it is habitual lying. Occasionally individuals think they are flawed or not enough. Some people think it’s necessary if they lie to get respect from the people whom they love.
How is compulsive lying disorder treated?
While compulsive lying is not technically a mental disorder, it can be a symptom of another underlying mental health condition, such as borderline personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder, and identifying the underlying cause of the disorder will impact the specific type of treatment the individual requires.
Treatment for compulsive lying typically involves psychotherapy, medication, and support groups.
There are a number of ways to treat compulsive lying disorder, depending on the severity of the condition. In some cases, therapy and counselling may be enough to help the person manage their condition.
Online and onsite counselling services are available for clients nationally. In other cases, medication may be necessary to help control the urge to lie. In severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary to help the person control their condition.
Is compulsive lying a genetic disorder?
There is a type of extreme lying that does appear to have a strong genetic component. Officially known as “Pseudologia fantastica,” this condition is characterised by a chronic tendency to spin outrageous lies, even when no clear benefit to the lying is apparent.
So if you’re wondering whether compulsive lying is genetic, the short answer is that it can be. However, it’s important to remember that not all compulsive liars have a genetic component to their disorder, and there are other factors that can contribute to compulsive lying as well.
Many times we find ourselves being lied to. Pathological lies are unfortunately more common than we would like, but there are typically characteristics that we can look for to catch someone in a lie.
For example, people with false memories may be regarded as normal liars. However, it’s important to keep in mind that just because someone has lied in the past does not mean they are necessarily doing so again. The pathologist must determine whether or not the individual in question is deliberately lying or if their words have nothing to do with reality.
How do you cope with a Pathological Liar?
If you have a friend or loved one who is a compulsive liar, you may feel frustrated, hurt, and confused. You may also feel like you are walking on eggshells, never quite sure what to believe. While it can be difficult to deal with a compulsive liar, there are some things you can do to cope.
1. Understand why the person is lying
First, try to understand why the person is lying. In some cases, compulsive lying may be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition, such as borderline personality disorder or anxiety. If this is the case, treatment may be necessary to address the underlying issue.
2. Set boundaries
Second, try to set boundaries with the person. Let them know that you will not tolerate being lied to, and be prepared to follow through on this. You may need to limit your contact with the person or even end the relationship if the lying becomes too much to handle.
3. Build your confidence
Third, work on building up your own confidence and self-esteem. This can be difficult if you are constantly second-guessing yourself because of the lies you’ve been told, but it is important to remember that you are not the one with the problem. The compulsive liar is the one with the issue, and you should not let their lies control your life.
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We hope that you have found this article about Compulsive Lying Disorder helpful and if you have been dealing with this issue, that this article has been able to provide some answers to some questions you may have had. It’s also advised to seek professional help from a GP or psychologist to gain guidance and treatment.
If you are interested in exploring a career in the mental health area and learning more about mental illness and mental health conditions, please check out our CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health or CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling pages for information about career pathways and course content.
