![]() If anxiety is behind the compulsion to lie, treating the anxiety may help resolve the compulsion to be dishonest. This form of talk therapy works to eradicate false assumptions and unhealthy patterns of thinking, improve the way you look at yourself and the world around you, and help you feel better equipped to handle life's challenges.Ĭompulsive lying is most effectively treated by identifying its underlying cause. ![]() The most common method of treatment for related conditions is talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Typically, compulsive lying is seen as a symptom of another condition and is treated indirectly. Treating compulsive lying can be tricky, as it is not recognized as an official diagnosis by any governing body within psychology. Healthy minds do not resort to lying to function daily, so someone who struggles with compulsive lying is likely to be experiencing poor mental health. What might seem like pointless lies could be lies intended to gain attention, admiration, material things, or even the emotional triumph of having gotten away with yet another falsehood. Thus, it could be hypothesized that compulsive lying is perhaps linked to insecurity and feelings of inadequacy. Each of these disorders also has the component of struggling to create, maintain, or recognize a definitive personality or identity. Whether that stems from an unstable home life, ill-formed attachments in infancy and childhood, neglect, trauma, or genetics is unknown. What is it about these disorders that lead to lying? In most of these conditions, identity is something of an issue. Anxiety and attention disorders can also lead to a compulsion to lie, although APD, NPD, and BPD are the most common disorders featuring this symptom. How Common Is The Condition? Getty/AnnaStillsĬompulsive lying may be part and parcel of any number of mental health conditions, including antisocial personality disorder (APD or ASPD), narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and addictive disorders such as alcohol dependence. Compulsive lying is not unheard of, new, or even necessarily unusual, but it is often an indication of a more serious condition. Compulsive lying was demonstrated by the journalist Stephen Glass, who fabricated the vast majority of his career-making stories and was removed from his position as a journalist. Compulsive lying can be easily recognized because it often provokes disbelief and confusion, as the lies are often easy to identify as such and seem outlandish, unnecessary, and even foolish. Many prominent figures have been accused of compulsive lying, including many a politician. However, most compulsive liars, or even a constant liar, do eventually develop reputations for their behavior and are often not considered trustworthy or reliable. Initially, the lies of a compulsive liar might not be noticed or called out. It is rarely planned out or considered beforehand. When it is compulsive, lying is almost an automatic response. Many compulsions within mental disorders lie in a gray area of being under control and out of control. Compulsive lies are often strange, absurd, or completely unnecessary and can seem almost too outlandish to be untrue.Ĭompulsive lying may be, to some degree, outside of the control of the person lying. Most people lie for a purpose you might lie to get out of trouble, to perform social niceties, to encourage someone who is feeling down, or to get that job you've been after for months.īy contrast, compulsive lying is characterized by lying without reason. While lying is a common enough behavior, compulsive (or pathological) lying is characterized by a literal compulsion to lie. But what separates these types of lying from compulsive lying? Keep reading to find out more about compulsive lying and what can be done to seek help. Children often begin lying almost as soon as they can talk, pointing the finger of blame at someone else or answering "no" to a question that should be given a "yes." To some degree, lying is accepted as a necessary part of engaging in social niceties you often swerve the truth a little bit to avoid hurting people's feelings or to get out of a commitment you do not want to make. ![]() Lying is something most people have done at one time or another. Speak With A Board-Certified Therapist Online. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |