

These individuals tend to have deep-seated anxiety, low self-esteem, and a fear of rejection, which can cause them to tell elaborate fibs. They may also lie to attract attention and alleviate boredom. Their stories may be largely fabricated to boost their ego, seek sympathy or admiration, or live out a fantasy. There are some reasons and factors to consider when discussing why an individual pathologically lies. Understanding A Pathological Liar's Need To Lie Moreover, it can destroy their career and harm any prospects they may have. Their lying can lead to serious problems, such as fraud, libel, and bankruptcy, and land them in legal complications.

They are also not deterred by getting found out or by feelings of guilt (That’s not to say they don’t experience anxiety around being discovered, rather that they are not stopped by it).Ĭonsequently, these individuals' relationships often fail due to a lack of trust and respect. They may intentionally and consistently create false stories for no apparent reason or gain. The lies they tell tend to be grandiose and outlandish to make them appear as either the hero or the villain. They may be 'functionally delusional' and integrate their lie with truth so much they can even pass a lie detector test. Sometimes, these individuals even start to believe their own fabricated stories, with some experts observing that they do not know the difference between fact and fiction. Lying can feel like an addictive game to them. The lies they tell are typically disproportionate to reality, can be complex, and are often manifested over an extended period.įor these individuals, telling a lie may be more natural than telling the truth, so much so that their whole history and existence can be a fabrication. Simply put, a pathological liar is an individual who compulsively and habitually lies. It can be a controversial topic as experts debate whether it should be considered a distinct, separate psychological disorder. The concept of the pathological liar first appeared in medical literature by German scientist Anton Delbrueck in 1891 but remains unclear in its exact definition. However, there can be a big difference between harmlessly lying and constantly lying-also known as compulsive lying, mythomania, or pseudologia fantastica.
