Pathological Liar Syndrome

You'll be surprised to find out how lying incessantly will qualify you as suffering from pathological liar syndrome. Read more about spotting the liars from the truth tellers, and what exactly is this condition...

I remember lying my way all through school and college; it was nothing major, just the kind to get me out of a stiff situation. Lying became second nature when I got into trouble, but that didn't mean I depended on it to keep me going all those years. Those who lie on a constant basis, from the time they wake up to when they're ready to end their day, are those that suffer from a problem called pathological liar syndrome. I remember this guy I met not too long ago who literally fed off the lies that spewed from his mouth. Trust me, the end result after all those lies, when he was found out, wasn't pretty. He lied about almost everything, right down to simple things like what he'd eaten that day. Crazy I know. After being confronted by all those who were subjected to his lies and the aftermath of it in larger circles, the best part, and the most shocking, was that he wouldn't admit to the lies at all! A pathological liar of the first degree.

So in definition what is a pathological liar? He/she is one that finds it very easy to lie, where it is very natural for them to cook up stories be it big or small. They don't hesitate, and for them, lying is just as passable as the truth. Telling the truth for them is foreign and not something they're used to. So the next time you hear a story or an incident that sounds a little too hard to believe, ask yourself if you've been confronted by someone who lives off the fact that lying is a way of life. Here you'll come across ways on how to spot a pathological liar, and what to look out for when these individuals waltz into your life.

How to Identify Symptoms of a Pathological Liar

Pathological lying is a downright illness that needs to be addressed, because in the long haul these people are going to cripple from the subsequent repercussions. Here's how you can catch the wolf among the flock of sheep in the following symptoms of a pathological liar.

Look for repetitive instances when he/she has a pitiful story to rein in sympathy from you.

Cross check them on previously narrated stories and notice how details of it change every time. Find out more on how to decipher the signs in, traits of a habitual liar.

They don't give in to their lies when finally confronted (sound familiar to my story?).

They don't look at lies as a tool to hurt someone, but rather as a way to get something they need/want done.

They act defenseless when questioned, often raising their voice or seemingly too calm.

Anything you tell them about yourself, they've done it too or acted out on something else that was better than what you'd accomplished. Find out more on how to deal with a pathological liar.

Their background life isn't clear, like where they studied or what jobs their parents held/hold.

Due to the innumerable lies, they lose track of what they've said, often contradicting their very own statements which you need to pick up on instantly.

Reality to them doesn't count as necessary to be told, where they'd rather reveal what can be made up.

Insecurity is a major emotion that makes them feel the need to lie.

Attention seeking is a habitual liar's biggest trait.

Analyze what he/she is getting by lying, and make a mental note of things they say and later change when repeated again.

Notice how he/she will make everything in their life seem miserable and out of sorts.

Lying is a way of making themselves feel good, in order to boost their self esteem.

Stories sound far too unbelievable when narrated.

Pathological Liar Treatment Options

Here we look into ways of how is pathological lying treated. There are some possible methods of how pathological liar syndrome can be treated, although the patient in question should admit to what he/she is suffering from and accordingly make that choice to change and get better. Here are the pathological liar treatment options.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This involves many sessions of where patients and counselors sit through a therapy session where the pathological liars talk about themselves and their problems. Activities are also put together for them to be actively involved in. They have assignments to work on and are given suggestions like to make an account of all they do in a diary, be it thoughts or episodes in the day. A lot of relaxing techniques are also incorporated to help patients deal better with their mental and emotional states. Take the pathological liar test, or have friends/family try it out.

Psychotherapy Session

In these sessions a psychotherapist will talk it out with patients to find out the root cause of their behaviors. Other problems are also confronted since this is a sort of mental disorder. The only downside of these sessions including the previous treatment option, is that these patients can lie throughout their time in the clinic, and not really get anywhere, or probably lie their way out, saying they're better people who can now live by the truth.

The pathological liar syndrome can be dealt with if one were to truly come forward and admit to their lies, with support from either family or friends. The problem is we'll never know if what they say is the truth anymore after knowing about how long it has been going on before they were caught. Liars usually tend to fall back on lying, not really caring that whatever happened had an impact on those that were close to them.