Why does a pathological liar lie

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

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.

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. This condition is most common in mothers, who feign illness in their child and lie to a doctor about it. 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.

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. 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. Some evidence from suggests that issues affecting the central nervous system may predispose someone to pathological lying. Compulsive lying is also a known trait of some personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder. Trauma or head injuries may also play a role in pathological lying, along with an abnormality in hormone-cortisol ratio.

A study of what happens in the brain when you lie found that the more untruths a person tells, the easier and more frequent lying becomes.

The results also indicated that self-interest seems to fuel dishonesty. The following are some of the scientifically recognized traits and characteristics of pathological liars. Along with being made the hero or victim in their stories, pathological liars tend to tell lies that seem to be geared at gaining admiration, sympathy, or acceptance by others.

A pathological liar tells lies and stories that fall somewhere between conscious lying and delusion. They sometimes believe their own lies. Some do it so often that experts believe they may not know the difference between fact and fiction after some time. Pathological liars also tend to be natural performers. When asked questions, they may speak a lot without ever being specific or answering the question. Most people lie at one time or another.

Previous research has suggested that we tell an average of 1. Pathological lies, on the other hand, are told consistently and habitually. When you ask a compulsive liar for an opinion on an important issue, says Dr.

Many people do. I've actually been asked by the governor of California to comment on this. Pathological liars may be even bolder. The two lying types are pretty similar, he says, and actually, ''You could be a compulsive pathological liar. Neither compulsive nor pathological lying has been studied extensively, say Feldman and Ekman. They know impulsivity and a need to impress could be linked to the habit.

Liars' brains may differ structurally from the average brain. In a study in The British Journal of Psychiatry , scientists did brain scans on pathological liars and others, and found that the liars had more white matter in the brain's prefrontal cortex.

They concluded that the increase in white matter may somehow provide these "super-liars" with ''the cognitive capacity to lie. Friends and family can be a critical source of support and encouragement for people struggling with pathological lying. If you are trying to have a conversation with a loved one about their lying, it is helpful to keep a few key points in mind:. Seeking treatment for pathological lying and potentially other underlying mental health conditions can be a daunting process.

At The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab, we ensure a compassionate, safe, holistic treatment experience that helps people address the root causes of their condition while reaffirming and strengthening the positive parts of the self. Our highly-individualised treatment plans meet the unique needs of each of our clients to offer the best outcomes. Your loved one will come away from treatment with a better understanding of their condition, how to manage stressors and triggers, and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Our centre is located on the lush riverbanks of Chiang Mai, Thailand. If you think that your loved one may be struggling with pathological lying, call us today to learn more about how The Dawn can help them rediscover truth, and reclaim a brighter future.

All Rights Reserved. What is Pathological Lying? Some common characteristics of pathological lying include: Lying without any benefit or reason — do you notice your friend lying seemingly only for the sake of lying? This is a common trait of pathological lying, and a clear sign that lying has become reflexive and habitual.

Telling lies that are complicated, dramatic, and detailed — though the stories might seem far-fetched, the convincing way they are told in a pathological lie can make them seem believable. The lies may make the person telling them seem like a hero, or a victim — pathological liars sometimes tell lies to gain sympathy or admiration.