I really need help: How do you stop a pathological lying problem?

Question

I lie about everything! From the smallest things to the biggest things. I cannot stop! PLEASE do not suggest going to therapy because I really don't want to or even have a way to get there. Just this morning I told a man at the bank that I work at Taco Bell when I don't even! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! This problem started about 5 months ago.

Answer 1

The first step in solving a problem is admitting that you have one.
Next, stop and think about your life in the past year, especially the last five months. Was there something traumatic in you life, no matter how bif or small. Any change? A move? Bored? A new sibbling?
One reason for lying is that you want to be precieved as something that you aren't. Do you think you aren't living up to what you want to be or what others want you to be? Ask yourself, what purpose do these lies meet? What pay off do you get by lying? Do you feel a rush of power?
Do me a favor and write down your answers to all of these questions. Sometimes see things in writting help us figure things out. Next I would like you to write down all the negative results of lying are. Some I suggest would be lose of trust from others, Being a fool in front of others. Not being the real you in front of others and misrepresenting yourself to possible friends.

A famous writer..Mark Twain wrote once- "a man who tells the truth has less to remember." This means that if you start telling lies you will have to remember who you told what to. Eventually you won't be able to keep up with remembering how you told what. Eventually- people will see you for what you are and not want to trust you with anything, not even a friendship.

You say you don't want counseling. You seem bright enough to figure this out yourself. Work through the questions and answers above. Next each time you lie write it down and figure out the why of it. The next thing to do is make changes. If you can't stop lying, then keep your mouth shut until you have more control over what you say.
Promise me that if this doesn't work to get some counseling. I know you don't have a way to get there or the money for it, but check with your county, or city, they might have counseling for people who can't afford it.

Catch this problem while you can or you will be spending your life weaving lies that in the end will make your life misserable

Answer 2

I am the same - not always but sometimes I lie about everything just to do it. There is a little book that a friend gave me: "Taming Your Gremlin". It is small and fun and an easy read. It helped me: It didn't make me change but it helped me understand why I was doing it. Suddenly it was very easy to stop doing it. It's difficult to explain, but it worked. I'm not "cured" or anything. Every now and then I'll spend a morning telling not a single truth, just for fun (but making sure I harm no one). The difference is, I no longer HAVE to lie. Good luck.

Answer 3

Usually we lie to get out of trouble or to make ourselves sound better than we think we are. I remember going through that when I was in my late teens. I didn't realize it at the time, but I guess I just didn't feel "good enough". The lies I was telling were so STUPID, I was embarrassed and finally made a conscious effort to stop.

Answer 4

Reverse psychology....Before you open your mouth to answer... think about the lie and try to make yourself tell the trueth. You'll find later, when your looking in the mirror recalling it, it's much less degrading and humiliating.