Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is Excessive Lying A Psychiatric Problem?
Hi - I am hoping I can get a psychiatrist to help us figure out what is wrong with my sister-in-law. My brother has a new wife of only one year and we have noticed several things through different family members. She will tell each family member something different about the same subject. She will lie about one relative said to her and tell that to another family member. Almost like she is trying to stir things up. Also, if you say something has happened to you in the past she always says that happened to me or makes up different illnesses that she has had in the past, even though we have asked my brother about them and he tells us that it is not true. So far she has had thyroid cancer (my daughter has Hashimotos), chronic diarrhea problems (my sister has this), migraines (another sister has this) , infectious breakouts or bowel difficulties(My mother hae this along with Clostridium Difficile), and many more that I can t count. We have asked my brother why she lies so much and he doesn t know why but knows she does it. One time, she told my brother that my younger brother tried to come onto her but we knew it was false because she was never with the younger brother alone as our mother was always with both of them at the same time on the porch. She is not a very attractive person and says she was in an abusive marriage for 22 years. She has one son with a disability but he is grown and lives with his grandmother as she is estranged from both of them. Do you have any idea why she would be like this? We are very curious about her and watch what we now say around her.
Mon, 18 Apr 2022
Hello,
You are suffering from the lie's of your sister-in-law, it is affecting the entire family. You are concerned about it. Characteristics or personality trait of pathological liars are excessive lying, with time it can become a long term problem. Individuals with this personality trait may lie about innocuous things. Her symptoms may be indicative of narcissistic pathological lying, but when it begins to interfere with someone’s personal life or the lives of family members around them, it is suggested to get her connected to a therapist or other trained mental health professional. She needs treatment.
Pathological lyres may have imbalance of hormone-cortisol ratio. Narcissistic pathological liars may lie for attention, to feel superior to others or to manipulate others for the purposes of self-gain. People suffering from OCD may also manifest similar traits. Lying can be a true compulsion in a person with OCD. Research studies reveal that people suffering from anxiety disorders may lie to protect themselves from anxiety triggers or to handle things like a fear(of whatever surrounds them).
Those with antisocial personality disorder might compulsively lie to manipulate the people around them, hurt their feelings or otherwise cause harm. Substance abuse, Insecurity, social status are other potential factors for lying. You should help your sister-in-law by putting her under treatment. However, that too is a challenge because pathological liars aren’t in control of their lying. They may start telling lies to the therapist instead of addressing the problem directly. She needs psychotherapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
You are suffering from the lie's of your sister-in-law, it is affecting the entire family. You are concerned about it. Characteristics or personality trait of pathological liars are excessive lying, with time it can become a long term problem. Individuals with this personality trait may lie about innocuous things. Her symptoms may be indicative of narcissistic pathological lying, but when it begins to interfere with someone’s personal life or the lives of family members around them, it is suggested to get her connected to a therapist or other trained mental health professional. She needs treatment.
Pathological lyres may have imbalance of hormone-cortisol ratio. Narcissistic pathological liars may lie for attention, to feel superior to others or to manipulate others for the purposes of self-gain. People suffering from OCD may also manifest similar traits. Lying can be a true compulsion in a person with OCD. Research studies reveal that people suffering from anxiety disorders may lie to protect themselves from anxiety triggers or to handle things like a fear(of whatever surrounds them).
Those with antisocial personality disorder might compulsively lie to manipulate the people around them, hurt their feelings or otherwise cause harm. Substance abuse, Insecurity, social status are other potential factors for lying. You should help your sister-in-law by putting her under treatment. However, that too is a challenge because pathological liars aren’t in control of their lying. They may start telling lies to the therapist instead of addressing the problem directly. She needs psychotherapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....