How to Identify Symptoms of a Pathological Liar

Encourage someone to tell the truth if you suspect she is a regular liar.

When asked to identify the most important aspect of a successful friendship or relationship, most people would probably say the answer is trust. The ability to depend upon the honesty of another person is essential to a happy relationship--but if one person is a pathological liar, the path to a lasting friendship can be rocky.

Instructions

1. Give your friend the benefit of the doubt unless you have proof that he is lying to you. A single lie does not make a person a pathological liar, especially if the lie stems from the desire to keep the person out of trouble.

2. Suspect stories that are too fantastical to be real. Some pathological liars need constant attention and they get it by telling stories that thrill and delight. Although there is a chance that the stories are true, if the person telling them constantly has stories of this nature, she might be lying.

3. Observe the intent of the stories. If you can determine no reason for the story, except to impress others, the storyteller might be a pathological liar. The liar may also lie so convincingly because he actually believes his own lies. Some pathological liars have successfully passed polygraph tests.

4. Question the person if you find inconsistencies in her stories. Because a pathological liar tells tall tales regularly, she may forget small details she told you previously.

5. Notice a need in a pathological liar to tell a bigger or better story than everyone else in the room. As a side effect of a narcissistic personality disorder, these people feel compelled to fabricate stories just to get attention.

6. Think twice before relying on the word of a person you think is a pathological liar. Accomplished liars may look you straight in the eye while telling you a total untruth.

Tips & Warnings

• You might choose to remain in a relationship with a pathological liar if you understand he lies as a result of a mental illness and if you feel strongly enough to deal with the repercussions of not being able to trust the individual.

• Explain the importance of trust to a friend who is a pathological liar, and encourage her to tell the truth even if it isn't exciting or flattering.

• Don't accuse a person of lying unless you can back up your accusation.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish