Always lying

[catnapper]

I used to work with someone like that -- she had to one-up every conversation. I remember when I was talking to her about taking walks with Cameron and how he could go a whole city block by himself.... she SWORE she walked a two-year-old two miles... in the woods... uphills....in ten minutes.... backwards. Backwards? seriously? She was dead serious.

It was all to get attention. She got it all right, but not the kind she craved. It turns out she has a pretty poor sense of self and miserable home life. She professed to have hte greatest husband and children in the world, but hte reality was far FAR from her tales of home life.

[chocolatepuppy]

I had a friend years ago who did that. She was okay when you first got together and the longer she talked, the more she, uh, exaggerated. Everyone knew she did it and no one paid any mind. I believe it was attention seeking.

[Catty1]

This is kind of wordy, but good.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/compu...-symptoms.html

It makes me think that an 'intervention' sort of thing might work, as the liar would be aware that EVERYONE is on to this. As the article indicates, people can't even stop it after a while, and do need professional help to break the cycle.

This deals more with what the OP mentioned:

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-f...iar-55878.html


The only immediate thing I can think of is paying attention to her when she is speaking about a regular thing, and turning away and ignoring her when she starts the lying. 'tell the truth, you get attention - lie, and you're on your own.'

That's a real toughie. Prayers for her!

ETA: interesting... http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/liars-anonymous

Chronic lying can also be part of Borderline Personality Disorder, which I understand is treatable.

[carole]

I think it is a mistake to say that someone with an inferior complex would be a liar such as this person,i would say that is an incorrect statement, i know someone who has an inferior complex and they are quite the opposite, hate attention of any kind,and certainly not liars.,infact i would say they are too honest for their own good if you know what i mean.

[Cataholic]

There are 24 hours in a day. I could not even begin to think I would befriend, remain friends or even dwell on this type of situation for any length of time. If it were my sibling, maybe.....someone not related to me? No way. Life is just too short.

[wombat2u2004]

I think it is a mistake to say that someone with an inferior complex would be a liar such as this person,i would say that is an incorrect statement, i know someone who has an inferior complex and they are quite the opposite, hate attention of any kind,and certainly not liars.,infact i would say they are too honest for their own good if you know what i mean.

Thing is Carole, an inferior complex manifests in so many different ways.
People on one hand can be very withdrawn and shy and not mix socially with other people, because they realise that they can't perhaps hold a proper discussion with others. They feel as though they can fail in a discussion, whereas they may be intelligent enough to carry out a normal discussion, but their fears prevent them from doing that.

On the other hand, people who feel inferior may also try to take over the reigns in a discussion, to make themselves look good. They expand stories to get attention, they butt in to conversations, and also try to belittle the people they are talking to.
These are all pyschological defence mechanisms at work, making them feel superior, when in fact all they are trying to do is cover up and mask their feelings of inferiority.

Now, I have to go find my security blanket. Hee hee

[carole]

I stand corrected Wom, i never knew that,you learn something new everyday thanks for that.

[Karen]

Chronic lying can also be part of Borderline Personality Disorder, which I understand is treatable.

BPD is difficult to diagnose and very difficult to treat. Yes, it is treatable, but only with a strong commitment from both patient and doctor.