5 signs of pathological lying, according to psychologists

The term “pathological liar” has become a convenient insult for anyone we love to hate, from corrupt politicians to reality show “villains.” The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is the latest example, with co-workers and viewers alike clamoring for the term Jane Affleck Due to previous allegations about her husband’s alleged gambling and her supposed affair with actor Ben Affleck. But what qualifies a person’s dishonesty as “pathological”?

Despite the common image of a conniving, conniving, and cartoonishly evil person, this label only applies to a very small subset of people in reality, and comes with very specific qualifications. “It is a behavioral pattern, not an independent illness recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).” Christina Nee, MDa Los Angeles-based psychiatrist and national medical director of interventional psychiatry at Mindpath Health, tells SELF. “And it’s not just a matter of deception: it can be behavior as well He looks Manipulative on the outside, but on the inside, it usually reflects deeper psychological distress and weakness.

In other words, a true pathological liar is not necessarily someone who is trying to ruin his or her life Win every battle— which is why you should pay attention to these warning signs instead.

1. Their lies are compulsive and habitual.

Whether it’s a little white lie or a deliberate attempt to evade accountability, everyone lies from time to time. But pathological lying is an almost constant habit. Drew Curtis, Ph.Dassociate professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Tyler and author of Great Liars: What psychology tells us about lying and how you can avoid being fooled, Self says.

“We see about 9 to 10 lies a day on average,” says Dr. Curtis, who also leads research on the topic through the Clinical Science and Deception Laboratory. Essentially, it is less of a deliberate choice and more of a default reflexive response.

2. They lie frequently, about situations and topics.

No one becomes a pathological liar over one argument or one incident — despite what Demi Engemann might suggest about Affleck in the series’ final season. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. As Dr. Curtis explains, this type of lying is a broader, chronic pattern that spans approx all Relationship, situation and subject. This means that they are not just distorting the truth Special enemy Or embellish their credentials to impress co-workers – a pathological liar will lie compulsively around family and colleagues, at social occasions, and in casual interactions with strangers alike.