![]() The terms “habitual liar” and “pathological liar” are often used interchangeably, but they can carry slightly different connotations. What Is the Difference Between a Habitual Liar and a Pathological Liar? ![]() Over time, habitual lying can become a deeply ingrained habit that is difficult to break without introspection, self-awareness, and a commitment to change. It’s important to note that habitual lying can stem from a combination of these factors and may vary from person to person. By presenting a false narrative or persona, they create a protective barrier between themselves and others, preventing them from being truly known or judged. Habitual liars may use lies as a defense mechanism to shield themselves from vulnerability or emotional exposure. This behavior can be driven by a desire for recognition or a fear of being ignored or overlooked. Some people who lie excessively may fabricate stories or exaggerate details to make themselves appear more interesting or significant. People who struggle with low self-esteem may resort to lying as a way to enhance their image or gain approval from others. This reinforcement makes the habit difficult to break. If a person experiences favorable outcomes or avoids negative consequences by lying, they may continue to do so in order to maintain those benefits. ![]() They may believe that lying provides a better outcome than telling the truth, even if it is short-lived or leads to more significant problems in the long run. Some individuals may resort to habitual lying as a means to escape negative consequences or punishment. There can be various factors that contribute to the development of habitual lying tendencies such as: Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.A habitual liar is someone who consistently engages in the act of lying as a regular pattern of behavior. Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cutting-edge wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. “And avoid confronting the liar, should you catch them in a lie.” This is especially true with a pathological liar, who's likely to respond to any confrontation with denial or defensiveness-so, you’d be better off saving yourself the stress and bandwidth, and opting to source the truth elsewhere. “If you’re dealing with any high-stakes information that you need to be sure is accurate, make sure to get confirmation of that intel from someone else,” says Dr. Learn all about protecting your personal boundaries in the episode of the Well+Good Podcast linked below. That said, setting boundaries in a relationship with either type of liar-particularly if it’s a partnership you have to maintain, like with a family member or co-worker-and being cognizant of taking what the person says with a grain of salt can allow you to maintain a basic, non-toxic rapport. "A pathological liar tells lies in order to get their way, save face, get out of trouble, or avoid blame." -Ramani Durvasula, PhDīecause the real effect of lying is, again, so dependent on the context (think: a friend lying about liking your dress versus a partner lying about cheating), it’s worth reiterating that the type of lie-and not just the frequency of the lying-is an important factor to consider. By contrast, the compulsive liar fibs out of pure habit, often to minimal consequence and for little to no tangible reason, says Dr. Though both types of liars tend to fib very often (no surprise there), a pathological liar tells lies with a particularly manipulative bent in order to get their way, save face, get out of trouble, or avoid blame, says clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, PhD, author of "Don’t You Know Who I Am?" How To Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. Ramani Durvasula, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Should I Stay Or Should I Go?.
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