However, many psychiatrists and psychologists will diagnosis based on behavioral patterns as reported by loved ones and through observation of the individual. As a result of not being included in the DSM-IV, there is no actual diagnostic criteria for a compulsive liar. Is Compulsive Lying a Disorder?Ĭompulsive lying is not a disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Sadly enough, getting someone to recognize that he or she has a problem usually requires hitting rock bottom first. But, like any addictive behavior (and/or personality disorder), getting someone to admit they have a problem with lying is the difficult part. Compulsive lying, if not addressed, can easily ruin a relationship.Ĭompulsive lying can be dealt with through counseling or therapy. Unfortunately, compulsive lying is hard for the person involved to see, but it hurts those who are around it. Making matters even more complicated, compulsive lying is often a symptom of a much larger personality disorder, which only makes the problem more difficult to resolve, such as narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. For the compulsive liar, lying feels safe and this fuels the desire to lie even more. And like any behavior which provides comfort and an escape from discomfort (i.e., alcohol, drugs, sex), lying can become addictive and hard to stop. Telling the truth, on the other hand, is difficult and uncomfortable. Not only do compulsive liars bend the truth about issues large and small, they take comfort in it. Simply put, for a compulsive liar, compulsive lying becomes second nature. Again, everyone lies from time to time, but for a compulsive liar, telling lies is routine. A compulsive liar will resort to telling lies, regardless of the situation. And unfortunately, sociopaths cannot be changed. Because in either case, the outcome is typically the same: dealing with a compulsive or pathological liar is very difficult to do. Ultimately, making this type of distinction may not be that useful. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly partner manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit – an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right.Ĭompulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in partneripulative and self-centered ways Compulsive LiarĪ compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused – it is done to get one’s way). A SociopathĪ sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. They will just keep lying and an already strained relationship will most likely take a turn for the worse. Unfortunately, there is not much to be gained by confronting a compulsive liar. For chronic liars, lying is a habit and everything is fair game. They will lie about small, irrelevant details as well as important matters. A chronic liarĪ chronic (compulsive, pathological) liar is someone who lies about things for no apparent reason. To begin with, it may help to understand the difference between a pathological or compulsive liar and a sociopath. Will your partner stop lying if you confront him or her?.
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