Liar mental illness

Everything you need to know

Pathological liars tell compulsive lies without a clear motive. This type of lying is different than nonpathological lying, where the lie is often beneficial in some way.

Lying is a common feature of social interactions among humans. This behavior even occurs in some animals, such as monkeys.

Lies often lead to some benefit. For example, a person may lie to avoid social embarrassment. While some people lie more frequently than others, it is not typically a sign of a mental health condition.

Pathological lying is different. It may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition, such as a personality disorder.

In this article, we discuss pathological lying in more detail, including how to recognize it and how to cope with this behavior in others.

Share on PinterestA pathological liar is someone who lies compulsively and without any clear benefit.

Lying refers to making a false statement to deceive others intentionally, often for some form of personal gain.

Nonpathological lying is commonplace and not a sign of any disorder. A person who pathologically lies will lie compulsively and without any clear benefit to themselves.

There have been some attempts to outline the differences between a pathological and a nonpathological lie, but more research is necessary to make appropriate distinctions.

A key feature of a pathological lie is that it has no obvious motivation. It is usually possible to determine why someone has told a lie — such as to benefit themselves or avoid an embarrassing or stressful social situation — but pathological lying occurs for no clear reason and does not seem to benefit the individual.

It is unclear whether a person who pathologically lies is aware of their deceit or is capable of thinking rationally about their lies.

Pathological lying can make socializing difficult and lead to significant interpersonal problems with loved ones and colleagues.

There has been little research in this area, and the causes of pathological lying are unknown.

It is unclear whether pathological lying is a symptom of another condition or a condition itself.

For instance, compulsive lying is a feature of several other conditions, such as factitious disorder and personality disorders.

Factitious disorder

Factitious disorder — sometimes called Munchausen’s syndrome — is a condition in which a person acts as though they are physically or mentally ill when they are not.

Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy is when someone lies about another person having an illness. This condition is most common in mothers, who feign illness in their child and lie to a doctor about it.

The causes of factitious disorder are unknown. Theories include:

biological or genetic causes
childhood abuse or neglect
low self-esteem
the presence of a personality disorder
substance abuse
depression

Personality disorders

Pathological lying is a possible symptom of certain personality disorders, including:

borderline personality disorder (BPD)

narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
antisocial personality disorder (APD)

BPD is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to regulate their emotions. People with BPD may experience severe mood swings, feel greater instability and insecurity, and not have a stable sense of self.

The hallmarks of NPD are fantasies of immense importance and the need for admiration and special treatment.

Researchers argue that while pathological lying may, in theory, occur in people with APD, those with this condition often lie for personal gain or pleasure.

A person with BPD or NPD may lie to distort reality into something that fits with the emotions that they are feeling, rather than the facts.

These personality disorders can lead to significant challenges with interpersonal relationships.

Frontotemporal dementia

A case study of one person showing signs of pathological lying found that their behavior patterns were similar to those that can occur with frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia is a form of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal brain regions and causes changes in behavior and language.

These changes can include:

inappropriate social behavior
lack of empathy
loss of insight into the behavior of others and oneself
changes in food preferences
compulsive behavior
boredom
agitation

Share on PinterestPathological lies often differ from ordinary lies in that they are easy for others to verify as incorrect.

Pathological lies are compulsive and may start small. The lies can gradually become more elaborate and dramatic, particularly if they are necessary to cover up for an earlier lie. They often become complicated by unnecessary amounts of detail.

People who lie frequently are not necessarily pathological liars. The most distinguishing feature of a pathological lie is that it does not have a motive.

Therefore, a person who frequently exaggerates stories to make themselves appear more interesting or consistently lies to cover up mistakes that they have made is unlikely to be pathologically lying. These are clear motives that advance particular interests.

Pathological lies are easy for others to verify, which can ultimately be harmful to the person who tells them. For example, the individual may make false accusations or grandiose claims about their past that are simple for others to check.

Pathological lying is not a formal diagnosis, but a doctor or therapist may recognize the behavior as a sign of another underlying condition, such as a personality disorder or factitious disorder.

These disorders include overlapping symptoms, including compulsive lying. People with these conditions also display other signs.

It is possible for pathological lying to be an independent symptom, as some people engage in pathological lying without having any underlying medical condition.

It can be challenging for a doctor to determine whether someone is engaging in pathological lying because there are no psychological or biological tests for it.

To diagnose most mental health conditions, a doctor will use a clinical interview. If the person is not honest about their lying, it could be necessary for the doctor to talk with family members or friends to help identify patterns of pathological lying.

Coping with someone who lies pathologically can be challenging. Forming and maintaining a trusting relationship with this person can take time and patience.

It is important to remember that the person may not intend to cause harm or benefit from these lies. Pathological lying can be a compulsion, and it often leads to negative consequences for the person telling the lies. Therefore, try to avoid responding angrily or blaming them for the lies.

It is also helpful to be aware that pathological lying may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition. Talking to the person about whether they have any other symptoms can help them identify the problem and seek help from a doctor or therapist.

Share on PinterestIf a doctor suspects pathological lying is part of an underlying personality disorder, they may suggest psychotherapy.

As pathological lying is not a recognized condition, there are no formal treatments for it.

If a doctor suspects that an underlying condition is causing the lying, they may suggest treatment for that condition.

For example, treatment for personality disorders usually involves psychotherapy or medication.

As pathological lying can be harmful to others, a doctor may also suggest therapy for those close to the individual. A therapist will work with them to help them manage their responses to the problem.

Pathological lying is when a person compulsively lies without a clear motive for doing so. The lies may become elaborate and detailed, but they are often easy to verify.

Pathological lies do not lead to any lasting benefit for the person who tells them, and they can be harmful to others.

It is vital to remember that the lying is a compulsion and that a person who pathologically lies does not intend to harm others or better themselves.

As pathological lying is not a recognized condition, there are no formal treatments for it. However, pathological lying may be a sign of an underlying condition that a doctor can help with, such as a personality disorder.

Bipolar disorder and lying: Is there a link?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that involves a manic episode. Some people may also experience a major depressive episode. In addition, a person with bipolar disorder may display other unusual behaviors.

People with bipolar disorder and their loved ones sometimes report that the condition entails a tendency to tell lies.

While lying is not a diagnostic symptom of bipolar disorder, anecdotal evidence suggests that the condition may make people more prone to lying.

Do people with bipolar disorder really lie more often than other people? Are these proper lies? Where does this idea come from? In this article, we try to find out what the truth is behind bipolar disorder and lying.

There is no clinical proof that bipolar disorder increases the frequency of lying, although people with the disorder, and their families, often report this tendency.

If true, such a tendency may stem from features of mania such as:

memory disturbances
rapid speech and thinking
impulsiveness
poor behavior choices

During a manic mood, says Madelyn Heslet — who blogs about her experience with bipolar disorder on a website called The Mighty — “any healthy or realistic thought goes out of the window.”

Heslet goes on to list 10 areas where she has learned to be aware. She calls these “the lies my mania tells to try and get me into trouble.”

Some people experience psychotic symptoms with bipolar disorder. These include hallucinations when the person may see, hear, or smell things that others do not. The perceptions can appear real to the person who is experiencing them.

With psychosis, a manic episode can involve delusions of grandeur. The person may genuinely believe that they are someone of great importance, or that they have friends in high places.

In Heslet’s case, she says the mania convinces her that it is acceptable to overreact when upset, to be excessively angry, and to say hurtful and malicious things.

Heslet notes that someone in a manic mood may believe they are immune to injury or harm. This can lead to impulsive or hazardous behavior, such as ill-advised sexual experiences, or an uncontrolled shopping spree.

This kind of activity can lead the person into trouble. If a person is in trouble, whether or not they have bipolar disorder, they may lie to cover up their wrongdoing or to convince themselves or others that they did not do anything wrong. Bipolar disorder may increase the chance of a person being in this situation.

Addictive tendencies are also more common among people with bipolar disorder.

A national survey in the United States found that more than half of the people with bipolar disorder experienced addiction to drugs or alcohol at some point. Addiction may fuel a tendency to lie.

Self-preservation combined with a desire for excitement and a belief that one is impervious to harm could increase the risk of telling a lie.

Blogger Susan P, writing on the International Bipolar Foundation website, suggests that there may be “some excitement inside that our lie is believed. ”

Susan P also notes that while she lied “to stay alive,” she also lost friends and family in the process.

A person with bipolar disorder can experience the world differently from other people.

Blogger Gabe Howard, writing on the online community BPHope website, notes that people with bipolar disorder may lie to “fit in,” because expressing their true emotions makes them seem strange to others.

Voicing their true feelings, says Howard, may invite criticism that people with bipolar disorder are faking, being overdramatic, or seeking attention.

However, with heightened senses, the person experiences life more sharply. What seems like lies may not be lies to the person telling them.

When a person with bipolar disorder regularly exaggerates their stories, it may be that this is how they remember them.

The tendency for rapid speech during a manic phase may also make a statement seem like a lie.

An example of this is when the person goes on talking without reflecting. As a result, they may not remember later what they said. By way of example, they may make a promise to someone while forgetting the promise in the next moment.

A person with bipolar disorder may lie, or appear to lie, about their condition. Doing so may be to avoid the stigma attached to mental illness, or someone may really believe there is nothing wrong with them. This denial can make treatment a challenge.

People with the condition are more likely to visit a doctor if they have a depressive phase than when they are in a manic phase. This is because they do not perceive a problem during a manic phase. If the mania involves hallucinations or delusions, this too can seem like a lie to someone else.

When a person with bipolar disorder makes statements that other people perceive as untrue, they are not necessarily trying to deceive.

However, such statements can cause family members, friends, and colleagues to see the person as intentionally deceitful.

Mistrust can damage relationships and hinder the impact of quality care. These effects can have a long-term impact on the quality of life for a person with the condition.

Counseling and awareness can help family members and friends to empathize as they come to understand the link between the symptoms and the lies or perceived lies.

Patient counseling, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medications, such as antipsychotics or antidepressants, can help to manage the disorder.

These treatments may also help with the issue of lies or perceived lies. Any treatment must be under the guidance of a doctor.

Bipolar disorder happens because a disrupted brain function causes abrupt changes in a person’s mood. Other symptoms can include sleep disturbances and some problems with thinking.

Unlike the usual shifts in mood that everyone experiences, the dramatic mood changes involved in bipolar disorder can range from severe mania with psychotic symptoms to suicidal thoughts.

The length, severity, and frequency of each cycle vary between individuals. Some people may spend weeks, months, or even years at a low or at a high, depending on what symptoms they experience.

Symptoms tend to appear in the late teens or early adult life but can emerge during childhood or late adulthood.

The precise cause of bipolar disorder remains unknown, but genetic factors appear to play a role.

Symptoms

A range of symptoms can occur with bipolar disorder.

When a person has a manic episode, they may:

feel “high,” “jumpy” or “wired”
have difficulty sleeping
be excessively active
believe they can do anything and many things at once
do reckless things such as spending too much money, driving too fast, or being unfaithful to a partner
be irritable, agitated, or restless

During a depressive episode, they may:

feel down or sad
sleep too much or too little
feel unable to enjoy anything
have trouble concentrating
eat too much or too little
believe that a disaster is looming, or that they have committed a crime
have suicidal thoughts

People with bipolar disorder and their loved ones sometimes report a tendency to say things that others may consider lies. Sometimes, the person may tell a lie if they are in trouble, as people without the condition may also do.

Other reasons why the person might lie or appear to lie relate to the symptoms of the condition, which can include racing thoughts and delusions of being disproportionately powerful or above harm.

Pathological lies: causes, symptoms. consequences

Experts say - a lie does not always mean a bad character, a desire to offend, manipulate. A pathological liar is regarded by experts as a sick person. What is the basis of such behavior, which can lead to serious consequences?

Definition of pseudology

Normally, a person resorts to lies to achieve goals. Pathological deceit is found in people who do not want to benefit, deception in this case is obsessive. There is no motivation. The official medical name for pathology is pseudology. It exists as a separate diagnosis, may be included in the symptom complex of diseases. The most common type of pseudology is Munchausen's syndrome. It lies in the fact that an absolutely healthy person behaves like a sick person. Allocate delegated syndrome and by proxy. Delegated occurs in mothers. Foaming at the mouth, they prove that their child is sick and demand medical assistance. Although in fact the child is absolutely healthy.

Reasons for constant lying

The mechanisms of this behavior are not fully understood. Experts identify 9 theories: neglect, childhood abuse, genetic, biological causes, low self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, personality disorders.

Psychiatrists, psychotherapists claim that the causes are not always related to mental health. It can be TBI, organic brain damage. The list of diseases can be quite extensive.

Differences between lies and pseudology

Mythomania allows a person to feel his importance, to attract attention. Each event can be seasoned with lies, enjoying the process.

Main differences:

pseudology	Plain lies
Purpose: none. Lies break into facts	Purpose: hide mistakes, attract attention
False stories are overgrown with a lot of details	Mostly to the point, without small details
Lies are the meaning of life, everyday, repeated	Mostly isolated cases
A person does not always give an account that he is telling a lie. found in pathologies	The liar clearly understands what he is doing, knows the consequences

In both cases, the revealed lie leads to a deterioration in communication with the person who lied.

Example A man is in despair - he is on the verge of being fired. The reason is lies. He told his colleagues about his non-existent incurable disease. According to him, he is undergoing palliative therapy. At first, colleagues sympathized, helped, cared, showed sensitivity. After a couple of weeks, they began to have doubts. The pathological liar was forced to lie even more. The goal was to close the previous untruth. When he was cornered, the man stopped appearing at the workplace. The consequences of his behavior were emotional distress, dismissal. Relatives say that such behavior is normal for him. Previously, the man was fired from three jobs for the same reason. Relatives try to explain to him and prove him wrong, but this is impossible. The liar proved his truth.

Manifestations of pathological lies

Constant lying has a number of pronounced symptoms. Mythomaniacs lie convincingly, a lot and colorfully. They easily manage to convince the interlocutor of the sincerity of their stories. The trouble is that such people do not realize that they are constantly lying.

Clinical manifestations of pseudology can be:

lie for no apparent reason;
faith in what was said;
self-doubt, low self-esteem;
inability to keep promises;
exaltation of oneself, praise;
communication problems.

Important! Experts say that sooner or later lies will be revealed. the desire to communicate with such a person disappears. In the end, he ends up in splendid isolation. Which negatively affects the psyche.

How to live with a person who lies all the time

Living with a chronic liar is not easy. This requires endurance and patience. A chronic liar does not try to harm others. To set up life with such a character, you need to know the basics of lies. With personality disorders, a person is explained that he hurts others, harms, will lead to a break in relationships. The reaction to a lie should not be violent, negative. Quite the contrary - calm.

In cases of the birth of lies due to organic brain damage, it will be difficult for a person to understand the essence of the claims, and will not be able to give feedback. In this case, hospitalization, drug treatment is indicated.

Relatives should not be indulged in the pathological lies of an adult. A pathological liar must understand that there will be no concessions for his behavior. It shouldn't be ignored either. There is no corresponding response, no incentive to improve.

Sign up for an online consultation if you notice that there is a pathological liar in your environment. Our psychologists will help to cope with this problem, provide psychological support to loved ones, and draw up a plan for further action. Our experts are ready to answer questions at any time of the day.

Recognizing lies by non-verbal cues

If a person knows how to control his voice, then body language, facial expressions remain uncontrolled. There are a number of signs in cases where a person is constantly lying. It is the unconscious that will give it away. What to pay attention to?

Obvious signs of deception:

muscle clamps. It looks something like this: when talking, a potential liar begins to swing one arm strongly, while the other is pressed against the bodies. It is possible to increase the timbre of the voice to a screech;
the depth and frequency of breathing are accelerated;
the person blinks frequently;
dry mouth, sweating;
aggression;
theatrical movements;
the desire to straighten a shirt, unbutton buttons, loosen a tie.

It is equally important to remember that when evaluating a liar, they look at a combination of factors: the situation, the correspondence of words, facial expressions, movements, postures.

FAQ

What is the psychology of a person who lies constantly?

If a person lies all the time, this is considered a pathology. There are many underlying reasons. It can be mental illness, a desire to exalt oneself, to pay attention. Quite often, the patient is not aware of his lie, believing in it sacredly.

Is there a concept of "lying syndrome"?

This is understood as Munchausen's syndrome. When a person is lying, telling tall tales or acting like a sick person. This state is characterized by embellishment in colors of either past events or fictional ones.

Can a potential liar lie to the eye?

Of course, that's usually what happens. Recognizing pathological lies is sometimes quite difficult, as a person sounds convincing. In this case, asking leading questions, you can understand who is in front of you.

Why, when a person lies, does he continue to invent fables?

It is a natural desire to hide one lie with another. The deceiver understands that he needs to somehow get out and begins to lie even more. Thus burying himself with his head.

Expert opinion

For a constantly lying person, life becomes a continuous overcoming of obstacles. The reasons for this behavior are varied. It is difficult to identify a pathological liar right away. To do this, just watch him, the dissonance of words, physiognomy, body language. Several leading questions can be asked. Those close to such a person need to be patient and not indulge in lies. If necessary, seek help from specialists.

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Article author

Monakhova Albina Petrovna clinical psychologist

Experience 17 years

Consultations 1439

Articles 234

Specialist in clinical psychology. Help in finding tools for self-realization, working out beliefs, fears and anxieties. Work with self-attitude, internal boundaries, understanding of interaction with society through conscious personal changes.

2007 - 2008 MUS Children's polyclinic No. 4 - teacher psychologist
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