What makes people compulsive liars?

Question

Why do some people lie for no reason?Especially when theres children involved?Do they not have a soul or are they just selfish?

Answer 1

Compulsive lying is also known as "Pathological lying", and is definitely a mental disorder which should, in fact, be included in the diagnostic and statistical manual (DSMIV).

As of now, it would be classified under "impulse control disorders not otherwise specified", because it is, in fact, a problem with poor impulse control.

The compulsive liar does not lie to decieve. Rather, he or she lies because, in essence, he/she cannot help it. The "impulse" is too strong, and overrides any other control mechanism placed upon it.

What happens with this disorder is that there is an extreme sense of anxiety, and the person feels that the ONLY way to relieve it is to actually do the act of lying. After the lie is told, there is a massive sense of relief...which, unfortunately is only temporary.

Thus, although the compulsive liar may THINK that the lie will solve or cure the extreme anxiety, it does not.

The compulsive liar does NOT do the lies because he or she thinks he/she can pull the wool over anyone's eyes. It is not done in any malicious way, as with an antisocial/sociopathic type person, who uses it to "get away" with things. Rather, the compulsive liar uses the lie because he cannot control the intense impulse to relieve his/her stress.

Compulsive lying is closely related to ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder), and in fact, it could easily be classified within that family of disorders. It could be controlled through a combination medication, such as prozac (fluoxetine), and therapy. But it is very hard to control. It is often a lifetime disorder.

Answer 2

Some people are born with a psycological problem that casues this. The rest learned to lie from society and how it runs, particularly in the business world.

Experience: I've noticed that the more involved I get in business, the more people I meet who constantly lie. I have a female boss who lies just about every time she opens her mouth. I've come to learn that what ever she says, she usually means the complete opposite. She does this to protect her high position, which is lame.

Answer 3

i know that lying is a learned behaviour and you don't stop that overnight. i look at what the person is trying to accomplish - not the lie. for example: personally, i want to be able to treat an illness i have but others will add more stress if i completely disclose so, i just withhold some info until i am better able to handle things. not the best way but it at least shows u are trying

Answer 4

Because they afraid that they will get in trouble they know when you tell the truth it going to hurt so they lie to cover they track that they did.

Answer 5

lies, are usually over exaggerated, the teller gets a feeling overwhelmingly,of power, all eyes on me....true or not, you don't know for that moment, they own the spot, other than that, they may be never heard from....

Answer 6

I dont have a clue ! HONEST!