Nick Kemp - Treating Compulsive/Pathological Liars
 In private practice I have seen numerous people who have had problems with obsessive lying. In most instances
by the time they contact me they are at boiling point and don't know which way to turn. Often they have tried
a number of approaches without success both on an individual and group basis.
There are two types of liars, pathological and compulsive liars. Here is a useful distinction between these
two types:
Pathological Liar
A pathological liar is usually defined 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 one's 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.
Compulsive Liar
A compulsive liar is defined 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 part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (see,
Pathological Liar), rather they simply lie out of habit - an automatic response which is hard to break
and one that takes its toll on a relationship.
This is another condition which can be treated successfully by changing the "emotional trigger" for the
behaviour so the client begins to think, feel and respond differently.
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