Compulsive liar disorder

It can be quite difficult to live or work with someone who routinely and without a reason tells lies. However, such behavior may indicate that the person is suffering from compulsive liar disorder.

Compulsive Liar Disorder Overview

Compulsive liar disorder is a complex mental disorder that may occur in different levels of severity. In general, the disorder is characterized by habitual lying. A person with compulsive liar disorder lies without a difficulty and even takes comfort in lying. If the person is faced with the truth, he or she would not admit that they lied. For a compulsive liar it is quite uncomfortable to tell the truth and he or she lies by reflex.

For such a person, lying is an addiction, just like gambling or drug abuse, that provides a getaway from discomfort. A compulsive liar bends the truth about major and minor issues, regardless of situation. However, compulsive lying disorder is not actually a disorder by rather a symptom of much larger personality disorder such as bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and others.

Difference between Pathological Lying Disorder and Compulsive Lying DisorderBoth disorders are featured by constant lying that is done without difficulty. However, pathological liar tells lies in order to manipulate others and gain benefit of lying unlike a compulsive liar who lies habitually without any second thoughts. People with pathological liar disorder lie with ease in order to get their way without concern for other people’s feelings and rights.

Symptoms of Compulsive Liar DisorderFollowing symptoms are commonly seen with compulsive liar disorder:A compulsive liar tells lies routinely and with great ease. For such a person, lying is a second nature.Compulsive liars typically have low self esteem. By lying, people with the disorder aim to overcome inferiority complex and gain importance. Compulsive liar always seeks attention and his or her lies serve that purpose.Individuals with compulsive liar disorder are usually addicted to alcohol or gambling.Since compulsive liars lie habitually, they cannot remain coherent in their statements and they often get confused due to amount of lies they have told to different people.Compulsive lying disorder is often associated with other psychiatric disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder (narcissism) and bipolar disorder featured by depression and mania.Treatment of Compulsive Liar Disorder

Compulsive lying disorder can be treated but it is important that the patient is willing to cooperate. In treatment of the disorder the most challenging thing is to get affected person to admit that he or she has a problem with lying. Since, the disorder often results out of other personality disorders the treatment aims to manage underlying cause of compulsive lying. For compulsive lying disorder counseling and medications are common treatment options.