Pathological Lying: Symptom or Disease?
Pathological lying disorder as yet, has no consensus in the professional community on its definition. Pathological lying is characterized by a long history (maybe lifelong) of frequent and repeated lying for which no apparent psychological motive or external benefit can be discerned. While ordinary lies are goal-directed and are told to obtain external benefit or to avoid punishment, pathological lies often appear purposeless.
In some cases, they might be self-incriminating or damaging, which makes the behavior even more incomprehensible. The German physician, Anton Delbruck,1 is credited with being the first to describe the concept of pathological lying disorder. He observed that some of his patients told lies that were so abnormal and out of proportion that they deserved a special category. He sub-sequently described the lies as “pseu- dologia phantastica.”
Compulsive Lying and Borderline Personality Disorder
Some people have a condition called Bipolar disorder, and compulsive lying, or mythomania, can be common in people with Borderline Personality Disorder. This is because people with BPD are often very afraid of abandonment and disapproval, and will do whatever it takes to make sure neither of those things happens.
Some forms of lying prevalent in people with BPD include the following:
- Faking a medical condition in order to reduce responsibility
- Carrying on close personal or romantic relationships strictly for personal gain
- Blaming tardiness on children, a faulty car, or other fictitious circumstances
- Contributing imaginary information to a friendly conversation
- Avoiding embarrassment by giving incorrect but convenient answers to simple questions (for example, telling someone you parked in the lot they told you about when in fact you couldn’t find the lot or forgot about it)
Manipulation is one of many ways that people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) attempt to control others in their lives and influence their behavior. It is not usually a conscious decision on the part of the person with BPD to do this, but that doesn’t mean that it’s OK to allow it to continue.
It’s important to recognize when you are being manipulated by someone with Borderline Personality Disorder and learn to avoid falling into the trap.
What are the signs of manipulation?
Let’s take a look at how you can tell you are being manipulated:
- When the person with BPD is approaching you for a favor, are they warmer or more flattering than they are at other times? If their demeanor changes dramatically when they need something from you, that is a sign of manipulation.
- How do you feel when the person with BPD is asking you to do them a favor? Do you comply out of guilt or shame knowing that you will be made to feel bad if your answer is no?
- People with Borderline Personality Disorder often get angry or rage with little provocation. This alone can be seen as a form of manipulation. If you avoid saying or doing certain things out of fear that your actions will trigger a rage from the person with BPD, this in and of itself is manipulation.
- Beware of coming to the rescue of someone who is always the victim. The person with BPD may be soliciting your help under the pretense that they are helpless without you or the victims of others’ bad actions.
Source:
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/pathological-lying-symptom-or-disease/
Im a liar