The pathological liar feels that his or her problems are paramount to what everyone else is experiencing. Upon tasting the spotlight, it becomes self-reinforcing and the lies grow bigger each time just to keep on being the center of attention. This person feels that he or she should be the center of everyone’s universe and will do what he or she can to make it happen. Part of the reason the pathological liar feels compelled to lie is because he or she may feel as though being in the spotlight has eluded them. From being bored to having low self esteem, the pathological liar’s goal is to look better than everyone else, so that people pay attention and worship their accomplishments.Ĭonsider whether the person is lying to gain attention. The main goal with many pathological liars is to gain positive notoriety. If the liar has done something wrong, he or she will do whatever is necessary to avoid blame––that means fabricating a story and/or pinning culpability on another person.įabricating a lie in order to gain attention. Also, he or she may involve other parties, making up information about the other party in order to get more people on his or her side. If the liar was involved in an argument he or she may change the details so that he or she looks better. Trying to pit friends/family members against each other. Certain details may be morphed to create drama or draw attention to the liar. Don't give away that you've heard a different answer before.Ĭompare stories with mutual friends of both you and the person you suspect of being a pathological liar, to determine if the story has changed or reshaped to accommodate certain personalities. Ask the person the same question throughout the day to see if the answer changes––play into the lie by either getting excited or showing intrigue when the person embellishes the story. Choose something random like what the person ate for dinner or watched on TV the evening before. Conduct a non-scientific experiment and inquire about certain aspects of the person’s life everyday. Pathological liars will lie consistently, which is one thing you can count on––they will lie all the time. If, for example, suddenly the third time the story is told, the cops show up, you have to start wondering if he or she is telling the full truth. Keep tally of the cast of characters involved in the story. From the number of people in the liar’s story to the actual storyline itself, recall what has changed and how often the details have changed in the story. Details and information will constantly change and evolve.Ĭompare and contrast both big and small details. They may tell you pasta and broccoli, but then may tell you and/or others that champagne was involved. Find an easy, run-of-the-mill story, such as what the person had for dinner last night. It's a bad habit, not a manipulative trait––this is how to differentiate a pathological liar from a sociopath who does seek to manipulate.ĭetermine whether the person’s details and information comes across as consistent every time they tell a story. This kind of lying tends to develop early on in life, often as a response to difficult home or school situations that seemed to resolve better if the child lied. It has simply become a way of life for this person, to make up things for a variety of reasons and eventually, the truth becomes uncomfortable while weaving whoppers feels right to them. Basically, a pathological liar is someone who tells lies habitually, chronically and compulsively. So how do you determine if you're dealing with someone who may drop a few fibs on occasion versus a true pathological liar? A few clues and steps may help you draw a sensible conclusion. From how much was spent on dinner last night to talking about the last time the dog was bathed, the pathological liar feels that every bit of communication has strategic meaning positioned for his or her gain.īeing lied to on a consistent basis is not only frustrating but also disrespectful to the other person. Unlike telling a few fibs here and there, or slightly exaggerating the truth once in a while, the pathological liar lies about literally every aspect of his or her life. This person may not be completely rooted in reality, believing the lies they tell, often in an effort to remedy low self esteem. The term, “liar, liar pants on fire” takes on new meaning when dealing with a pathological liar.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |