Pathological Lying Symptoms of Other Mental Disorders

Pathological lying is a relationship killer, and it is a symptom of another disorder. Usually pathological lying is associated with mental health disorders such as bipolar, narcissistic personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder. This type of fabrication can create havoc in all types of relationships be they romantic or business.

Bipolar patients may experience this as they cycle through the stages of the disorder. Typically, the lying occurs and is categorized under the symptoms of delusions of grandiosity. The patient is right and everyone else is wrong, there is nothing anyone can do to change the patients mind as the disorder will need to run its course. With therapy and medications, this symptom disappears or at least is less evident.

Narcissistic personality disorder patients will exhibit behaviors of pathological lying to cover up for their own inadequacies. They often have trouble keeping a healthy romantic or business relationship so they invent stories to keep life exciting. With this disorder, the patient feels as if everyone is below them, the patient is the smartest, most important person they know, and they feel everyone should respect them and take their advice. When that advice is not taken the patient comes up with the lies which sets them off on the destructive path. This personality disorder can be treated with therapy and medications.

Patients with antisocial personality disorder seem to disregard the feelings of people they hurt with their pathological lying, so they continue with the destructive behavior. These people seem to like people for outward purposes, but often spend time living parallel lives. Medications and therapy will help to control the symptoms, but of course, it all depends upon the patient.

There is usually an element of truth in what these people say but much of it is embellished. If they lie about another person, they do it in a fashion, which makes himself or herself appear braver, smarter, or a better person than whomever they are lying about.

No matter the mental health disorder, the patient can be very destructive to any type of relationship. Most of the time this pathological lying, is done to cover up the patient's own inadequacies or poor self-esteem. Again, with medications and therapy these patients can get the help they need to succeed in every facet of life.

Resources:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-pathological-liar.html

http://www.ehow.com/about_5398761_pathological-liar-symptoms.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/13256-identify-symptoms-pathological-liar/

http://www.wellsphere.com/wellpage/symptoms-of-pathological-liar

http://www.alternativedepressiontherapy.com/Bipolar-Symptoms.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/antisocial_personality_disorder/page2.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcissistic-personality-disorder