Compulsive lying disorder, also known as mythomania, is more common than most people realize. In fact, compulsive lying is commonly associated with mental illness.
A person that suffers from this disorder can produce rather convincing lies, making it hard for anyone to know the person is telling a lie.
Compulsive lying should not be confused with habitual lying. A habitual liar often tells “white” lies. A white lie consists of an avoidance of the truth to keep from hurting someone else’s feelings.
A compulsive liar cannot avoid telling lies, even when those lies may cause harm or hurt feelings.
Seeking information about compulsive lying disorder is the first step toward finding treatment for this medical condition. When a normal person lies, they associate feelings of guilt with the lie.
When a person with a lying disorder tells a lie, there is no guilt involved because that person does not realize they are even telling a lie.
Lying becomes an ingrained part of everyday life, meaning a compulsive liar is so used to telling lies, they do not feel guilt when it happens.
If you know someone who lies every day, it may be a sign of compulsive lying disorder. Keep your eye out for other symptoms of mental illness.
Since compulsive lying disorder is a symptom related to mental illness, a person with this disorder will likely display other symptoms.
Obtain as much information as you can about the disorder. Once you have determined if someone you know has this disorder, it is time to seek the help of a professional.
Therapy is a common form of treatment used for compulsive lying. Obviously, a person with this disorder will require professional diagnosis before treatment can begin.
Once the disorder is diagnosed, the person can begin therapy sessions to determine the underlying cause of the compulsive lying.
A person with compulsive lying disorder often lies to cover up feeling of inadequacy or low self-esteem. The problem may also stem from past use of drugs and alcohol or involvements with trauma such as physical and verbal abuse.
Either way, therapy can achieve the desired results with the proper amount of time and patience.
Therapy will not provide results overnight. In fact, most treatment plans for compulsive lying disorder require a committed length of time.
The therapist will need the time it takes to gain the trust of the patient in order to help that person overcome their desire to lie.
Suppose someone knows for sure they have this disorder, but they don’t mind it. As in… They don’t want it treated because they don’t find that it poses a problem?
I want to know what I can do to stop lying. It just comes out like verbal diarrhea – something I can’t control.
How to handle a person with compulsive lying disorder? It is shocking and painful and very dangerous too. If the person refuses to accept even after getting caught lying and becomes aggressive, how can he be treated without him knowing?
Im a 15 year old and ive been bunking off work experience. I didnt want to do it but my mom and dad told me to do it and that I have no choice, also a long with that I have extremely low self esteem and use lies to make me feel better and to keep friendships..I think that its now time that I get therapy.
Most of the time I can tell when my friend lies, she’d over exagerate her actions and how she normally acts changes. I’m sure that she is a compulsive lier because I’m quite suspicious that she has lied about a family member dying… But its not just me who thinks this its another close friend of mine and hers, I don’t know what to do, I can’t handle her lies but I can’t push her away, she already has mental health help but surely they would pick up on compulsive lying?
I have mixed feelings on being a compulsive liar. As a christian I know it’s bad, but as a human I don’t want to stop? I feel like I don’t care about anyone when I lie and I do not feel guilty or ashamed.
Dealing with compulsive lying on the receiving end or as the person doing it is tough. As the person doing it it’s a way of making you feel better about things in your life that you don’t have complete control over its about making you feel better of more important as a person even just for a little while. But please know as someone who now has caused a great deal of pain from lying and being caught out don’t let it get so far before seeking support or help you will feel better without lying. you can get to the bottom of the issues without hurting others and you can have genuine happiness over time rather than spats of untrue happiness. Key to that previous sentence is time though it does take time and you can do it you must just persevere and it will pay off seek a counsellor or speak to someone you trust, see your local gp or get hold of a self help book there really are some great ones out there… Hope this advice helps