Compulsive lying is not considered a psychiatric disorder, but rather a symptom of another mental illness. It can be caused by a habit developed early in life or a desire for attention or personal gain. Pathological liars lie to reinforce their worth, while those with a mental illness may have no control over their lying behavior. Treatment depends on determining the underlying cause.
Most medical experts do not consider compulsive lying disorder to be a psychiatric disorder in and of itself. Rather, compulsive lying is generally considered a symptom of another mental illness. However, not all compulsive liars are mentally ill. People who lie compulsively often do so out of habit, and many may have developed this habit early in life, possibly due to an unstable or negative home environment that necessitated the compulsive lying. People with so-called compulsive lying disorder usually know they are lying and may lie for a variety of reasons, including low self-esteem, a need for attention, or a desire to get ahead of others. Compulsive liars may also lie simply because telling the truth may feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable for them.
Many experts do not consider compulsive lying disorder to be a distinct conduct or mental disorder in its own right. Compulsive lying behaviors can manifest as a symptom of a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. Many people who lie compulsively have no verifiable mental illness. These people may lie to seek positive attention from those around them, especially if they suffer from a low sense of self-worth.
Many people lie compulsively out of fear of negative repercussions from telling the truth. Others may lie to seek material or social benefits that they believe they cannot acquire by telling the truth. Still others may lie simply because they enjoy the thrill of lying.
Many experts distinguish between compulsive lying behaviors and pathological lying behaviors. It is believed that pathological liars lie mainly to reinforce their worth in the eyes of others. Pathological liars can often come to believe their own lies eventually.
People who have compulsive lying disorder due to a mental illness often exhibit other mental and physical symptoms indicative of a mental illness. These liars often have no control over their lying behavior and usually continue to hold on to the lie even when lying becomes harmful, rather than beneficial.
Compulsive lying behavior can be treated, but a psychiatric professional is usually needed to determine whether the lying behavior is symptomatic of an underlying mental illness, or simply a force of a long-standing habit. Treating an underlying mental disorder can help resolve the lying behavior, but therapy can also benefit those who lie compulsively because of underlying self-esteem issues or negative early childhood experiences.
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