Liar, Liar, pants on fire.

Sometimes a little education is in order. I’m not calling anyone out, I’m explaining a condition. A condition I sadly to aware of. I was raised by a Pathological Liar, I bear the scars but I am also more aware than most. You can’t expect a pathological liar to react normally if you call them out, because after the story has been told a couple of times, it becomes the truth to them.

They need help, but will never get it because to them, you are just attacking them. The solution? For your own mental health, get away from them, create distance. If it’s a politician, VOTE THEM OUT.

Liar – A liar is someone who intentionally tells falsehoods to deceive others, usually for a specific purpose. Key traits:

• Motivation: Self-interest, like avoiding punishment, gaining advantage, protecting someone, or sparing feelings (e.g., a “white lie”).
• Frequency: Occasional or situational; they can tell the truth when it’s convenient.
• Awareness: Fully conscious of the lie and often feels guilt, fear of being caught, or plans to cover it up.
• Examples: Saying “I didn’t eat the last cookie” to avoid blame, or exaggerating a story to impress friends.

Pathological Liar – A pathological liar (often linked to conditions like pathological lying or pseudologia fantastica) lies compulsively, habitually, and without clear external gain. Key traits:

• Motivation: Often internal or unclear; lies may serve no obvious purpose, or they’re told to create a desired self-image/reality.
• Frequency: Chronic and excessive; lying becomes a default way of communicating, even about trivial things.
• Awareness: May believe their own lies (delusional element) or show little remorse; lies are elaborate, detailed, and persistent.
• Psychological context: Frequently associated with personality disorders (e.g., narcissistic, borderline, or antisocial personality disorder), trauma, or neurological issues. It’s not just “bad character” but a deeper compulsion.
• Examples: Inventing an entire backstory of being a war hero or famous celebrity, repeating it consistently despite evidence, or lying about daily events for no reason.

Key Differences

In short: A regular liar chooses to deceive when it suits them. A pathological liar can’t easily stop and may live in a web of their own fabrications, blurring truth and fiction. If someone suspects pathological lying in themselves or others, professional evaluation (e.g., by a psychologist) is recommended, as it can signal deeper issues.