Pathological liar - Research Paper Example

Once a lie is told, there is no changing it, no taking it back, and no easy resolution to solving the problems that it creates.” If lying becomes habitual and chronic, the liar becomes known to have developed into a compulsive liar. This is differentiated from a pathological liar, which is the topic of this research. This research paper is aimed at presenting relevant factors surrounding a pathological liar. A brief description of this disorder would initially be presented. The characteristics of this personality disorder would also be enumerated, as well as any remedies which might be available.

“an individual who habitually tells lies so exaggerated or bizarre that they are suggestive of mental disorder”. In a study which differentiates a pathological liar from a compulsive liar, a pathological liar is described as: “someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. Pathological lying is often viewed as coping mechanism developed in early childhood and it is often associated with some other type of mental health disorder. A pathological liar is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused - it is done to get ones way).

Pathological liars have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. A pathological liar often comes across as being manipulative, cunning and self-centered.” (TruthAboutDeception.com 2009). On the other hand, the same study defined a compulsive liar as “someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right.

Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most