Definition of a Compulsive Liar

While everyone lies now and again, compulsive liars have an uncontrollable impulse to lie about nearly everything. Often it gets to the point where the liar is so accustomed to their deception, that it becomes second nature.

Causes

• Compulsive lying is often caused by the need for attention and a low self-esteem. It is usually developed at an early age as a reaction to one's social environment.

Effects

• Compulsive lying adversely effects friends and family, and even the perpetrator of the falsehood. It can lead to a severing of friendships and one's livelihood.

Misconceptions

• The terms compulsive and pathological liar are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. According to psychotherapist Dawn Pugh, a compulsive liar lies out of habit, whereas a pathological lies on a constant basis to get their way, with disregard to others.

Identification

• There are several traits to consider when identifying a potential compulsive liar:

  - Grew up in a household where lying was necessary
  - Low-self esteem
  - They lie with ease
  - They aren't intentionally malicious, since the lying is out of habit

Expert Insight

• A 2005 study published in "The British Journal of Psychiatry" provided the first evidence of structural differences in the brains of liars. On average, the liars in the study had 22 percent to 26 percent more white matter in their prefrontal cortex than both the normal and antisocial controls.