Compulsive lying

Neon Camouflage · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

I'm very young (not sure of an age minimum on here so I'll leave it at that), and ever since I was a child I've lied for no reason. It's at any time, and usually about pointless stuff: what I ate, a story I heard, where I like to shop, ect...

I do this without even thinking, and usually don't realise it till mid-lie, if that soon. I've tried watching everything I say and correcting every lie I catch, I still do it. Any ideas on how to end it?

Jennifer · Site Admin Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 2014

lying is a tough one and its something that you do either to protect yourself, protect others. you need to figure out how and why you lie to stop it. i'm assuming no major consequences for your lies just yet?

Neon Camouflage · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

Nothing major yet. Just annoying to keep correcting my stories, and they've led to me having to create much larger lies to cover. I just know I'll trip up eventually.

Not sure who I'm protecting, or why. Seems totally random when and to whom I lie.

Jennifer · Site Admin Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 2014

not random, you only learn to lie from experience, it is not a trait that you are born with. kids learn to lie from adults and once they learn it becomes easier to do that than to tell the truth. who taught you to lie? even such as someone takes you to mcdonalds and that person says don't tell your parents, that is a lie and you of course tell your parents because they asked how your day was. as you get older you learn the benefits of fibbing and how much easier it is than telling the truth.

bottom line is that you will have to reprogram your brain to just tell the truth and deal with the consequences as they fall or just improve so you don't feel the need to lie all the time,

Neon Camouflage · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

I guess I learned from my parents as I often heard them tell "white lies". And they're super strict so I quickly learned to lie well, that way I could watch and play what I wanted and not get in tons of trouble.

How do I change? Just try and watch myself? I've done that and, though I caught most, I still lied and it didn't remove the urge to lie.

Jennifer · Site Admin Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 2014

honestly most people lie, the fact that you are seeking out help for it puts you above the rest. Not sure what your parental situation is but you might want to try to be honest with them and have a sit down and say that you want to tell them the truth and be open with them and see how they respond. If they are open to change than that will be helpful.

Most parents are strict, it is part of the job of being a parenting and it is usually a good thing or there is a reason for it from there past. Yes, it is scary to be honest and much easier to lie but you state that you want to change and this seems as good as any of a place for you to start.