compulsive lying

[lawrie]

umm... this may not seem like a big deal but it seriously is... i've just accepted that i'm a compulsive liar, although i think i've known for a long time deep down.
i don't want to go into all the problems this has caused me and is causing me, but i do want to ask if any of you know what i can do about it...
everything i can find on the internet is pretty inconclusive, i can't find any advice on how to stop, and to be honest a lot of the articles seem to really ignorant... i don't do it because i want to, dammit.

anyone been through this? anyone come out the other side at least a vaguely honest person? anyone got any ways to stop talking complete bullshit constantly?

is there any professional help i can seek?

i just feel like a complete dick basically because i'm totally incapable of telling the truth, and there's absolutely no reason for it.



thanks

[Echo]

I don't how compulsive you are, but I was somewhat in that boat myself a while ago. I never sought professional help for it, but rather, made a conscious choice everything the opportunity to lie came up to either water it down or close my mouth.
I would ask myself: what do I gain by telling this lie? If there really was no greater good for anyone in it (aside from me feeling like I knew what I was talking about) I would try to stop myself.

Hope that helps somehow..

[bobidrawpictures]

you could be just lying to yourself? or how would you knwo youre telling yourself the truth?

[craola]

Its really fantastic that you have been able to admit this to yourself it really is and its a huge step and you should be proud of yourself :)
There doesn't seem to be much information online about the subject which is odd and very annoying, what it does seem to say is that it can either be a symptom of another problem it could be related to a physical cause or to low self-esteem.

I've read quite a few pieces of writing by people who have gotten help...unfortunately it doesn't say the way they went about it which is oh so useful! What I would suggest is going to see your GP or doctor and talking to them about you're problem and letting them know how much you want help to change this and learn how to cope with it. If you're worried that while you're there you will exaggerate, or lie or wont be able to talk or say what you want or what ever I would really suggest writing it down. I know it sounds really stupid, but when I went to see my GP when I really couldn't cope anymore and was hearing voices badly I just wrote it down to make sure he took me seriously and it worked.

Being a compulsive liar or a pathological liar (its sometimes called pseudologia fantastica if you want to carry on trying to find info) does not make you a bad person, even if the lies are getting really really bad its problem that's bad and not you and that's always true. The sooner you start seeking help the sooner you're on your way and I really really hope that it gets better and you're life becomes easier.

Take care hun
Aimee xx

[lawrie]

Thanks everyone... I guess it's just another reason I should go see the Dr...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobidrawpictures

you could be just lying to yourself? or how would you knwo youre telling yourself the truth?

^^^that is just insane to think about! I guess you could apply that philosophy to anything!

[craola]

What else do you have problems with hun?
If you dont mind me asking that is, you can pm me otherwise :)