Pathological Lying

Knowing someone who suffers from pathological lying is challenging. You want to trust and believe what this person says, but chances are he/she is lying to you more times than not. A pathological liar has a constant need to tell lies and, many times, for no reason at all.

Pathological liars are addicted to lying - find out why!

Understanding Pathological Lying

The definition of a pathological liar is someone who uncontrollably lies for no personal gain. Lying has become a habit for the sufferer. The liar will even lie if it means putting him or herself in danger. Some people consider pathological lying a disease because of the effect it can have on a person's life.

You won't be able to find pathological lying in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). It is not considered a disorder in itself, but is instead regarded as a symptom of another psychological disorder such as a borderline personality disorder or depression.

Symptoms of Pathological Liars

Pathological lying symptoms are not clear. Everyone differs in what they lie about and how they do it. Some live a life based on many lies while others make up stories that relate to their life. With some pathological liars, you can quickly tell they are not telling the truth, but in others, it could take a while before you realize their problem. To help you identify if someone is a liar, look for the following signs:

• The person has a personality disorder, is bipolar or has another psychiatric disorder.
• The person has an addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling.
• The person's life sounds too good to be true.
• The person often takes center stage at events.
• His or her tories are unbelievable.
• The stories change constantly.
• You discover proof that something the person said was false.
• Friends or family members of the person tell you that he/she lies.

Treatment for Pathological Liars

Treatment options for pathological liars are limited. Pathological liars usually have an underlying psychiatric disorder or addiction. Treatment starts with the disorder or addiction in hopes that with stabilization, the lying will decrease or stop altogether.

Treatment consists of medication and psychotherapy. The combination of both is most effective. Medication depends on the disorder, usually antidepressants or antipsychotics. Cognitive behavioral therapy (the process of changing your thoughts to change your behavior) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for many psychiatric disorders, addictions and their symptoms, including pathological lying.

Treatment success for pathological lying depends on how willing the sufferer is to seek help. Taking medication is easy, but psychotherapy takes work. The person must be an active participant and follow through with the entire treatment plan. The problem with pathological liars is that they have a difficult time telling the truth in therapy, and this can be detrimental to reaching treatment plan goals. Experienced therapists are able to tell when people are not telling the truth, and they are able to help them realize what they have been doing and how it has affected their life.

Finding Treatment for Yourself or a Friend

If you believe you suffer from this type of lying disorder, seek out professional help immediately. Contact your physician who will most likely give you a referral for a psychiatric evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. You can also contact your local mental health center for information on resources in your area including counselors and support groups.

Confronting someone about a lying problem is challenging. The person will most likely become defensive and resist treatment. The more you push the issue, the more the person will resist. The only thing you can do is voice your concern and offer help. Spending time with a liar can be frustrating and exhausting, so if the person does not want to seek help, you will need to decide if it's worth your energy to remain supportive.

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