Compulsive Lying- A Psychological Disorder

Introduction:
Compulsive Lying or Pathological Lying is a controversial topic. It is still not defined exactly by the field of Psychiatry, but is is some how considered to be a psychological disorder that is characterized by a behavior or a habit of lying continuously. This frequent and repeated lying has no associated motive or benefit.
It is important to understand that a normal person usually lies in order to hide something, to obtain some external benefit or to avoid a punishment that is an ordinary lie is goal directed. On the other hand an individual who has a compulsive lying disorder, often lies without any purpose.
This disorder may be associated with other psychiatric or psychological conditions like Border line personality disorder, Bipolar disorder or Narcissism.

Characteristics of Compulsive Lying Disorder:
An individual who has a compulsive lying disorder usually shows following characteristics:

• Telling stories that are dazzling or fantastical.
• The tendency to tell a lie is chronic and is not proved by any situation or social pressure. 
• There is an element of dis control present. 
• The lie they tell usually show them as a constant victim, somehow trying to gain attention from others. 
• Sometimes the stories told in the lie are to gain popularity and fame

Diagnosing A Compulsive Lying Disorder:

It is difficult to diagnose this condition and is not recognized as an isolated condition. It usually occurs along with other Psychiatric disorder. Excessive lying can be a symptom of many mental illnesses. 

Lie detection also known as deception detection that involves certain questioning techniques and then monitoring the physiological functions to ascertain truth and false to certain extent. A normal person shows signs of stress and guilt but an individual with a disorder may not show any reaction. 

Help For People With Compulsive Lying:

Compulsive lying is something similar to addictions like overeating, drinking, gambling and an individual with this disorder keeps on lying with no control. Here are few hints that can help people with this problem:

1. First of all it is important to understand and find out the reason why the person is lying all the time. 

2. The next important step is to make the person understand that he/she has some problem and that he/she needs help for it.

3. Identifying the underlying cause of lying for example to gain fame, to get extra attention, to hide ones own faults can help prevent compulsive lying by achieving those goals without a need for lie. 

4. An individual can help oneself not to lie by keeping a record of all the lies and then understanding the Why behind that lie and later finding a solution to that Why. 

5. Finally Psychotherapy with professional therapist with regular sessions may slowly help a person to quit this habit. 

6. Treating the associated psychological and psychiatric disorders with therapy or drugs as needed.