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In reply to the discussion: Dealing with a compulsive liar in the family at Christmas dinner. [View all]drgoodword
(19 posts)125. Agreed: Genuine Compulsive/Pathological Lying Is A Serious Mental Health Issue
Wikipedia has a good entry on Compulsive/Pathological Lying (Pseudologia fantastica). It's a serious mental health issue and those who suffer from it should always be treated with compassion by their loved ones (without compromising appropriate caution).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudologia_fantastica
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At this point, it's not serious and I really think it is how she deals with her reality given who
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#13
We are usually too blindsided by her latest confabulation to say anything. It comes out of nowhere.
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#7
Yep, keep getting her to embellish the story until it's miles beyond absurd. Fun for all.
Scuba
Dec 2013
#80
Oh, yes, I know. This is a pretty mild thing to deal with and actually my daughter stopped her cold
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#16
She must think your family is so awesome and interesting she has to compete with lies
angstlessk
Dec 2013
#10
Yes, I do think that she feels culturally disadvantaged...and in other ways...
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#27
I spent several years working with someone whose previous work experience included
Taitertots
Dec 2013
#14
I worked for someone who spun yarns all day. I learned to enjoy it. Think of it
KittyWampus
Dec 2013
#15
I find that hanging out on DU is excellent practice for that sort of thing.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2013
#21
Before they even start just say. Hey you heard about the new phone app that detects liars?
Lint Head
Dec 2013
#24
If she does say that say, "Oh you tried that? Exactly how does that one work?"
Lint Head
Dec 2013
#59
I have known people like that before. I always feel embarrassed for them. But I just don't know what
Douglas Carpenter
Dec 2013
#28
Her husband is 20 years her senior and is now often "out of it" for brief times and that is usually
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#32
Yes, i had somebody in my life like that. It was a friend i no longer keep in touch with
darkangel218
Dec 2013
#30
Oh yeah. . . We have a compulsive liar who ALSO has a histrionic and narcissistic personality. . .
BigDemVoter
Dec 2013
#38
No, she's been in the family for a while. Not a tall blonde. Not much of a looker
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#49
Naw, this dish is just a silly thing, but it is the constant "I knew that" or "I did that" before
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#48
I thought about that! "Oh, Ruth, could you make your OWN panna cotta for Christmas?"
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#53
My daughter's complaint is that she tries to interject herself into family conversations that
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#83
I don't know her, of course, but usually when people do that it's because they feel
Th1onein
Dec 2013
#96
OH, she is included. Our family is too polite not to include her in all kinds of celebrations.
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#98
I know but the thing is she brings some of this on herself. It's really hard to warm up to people
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#100
That might happen, but it can't come from me. I'll bring it up to my grown kids, tho.
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#107
You can do this in a vague kind of empathetic way, without calling her a liar.
Th1onein
Dec 2013
#117
I will suggest that for our next family gathering at Christmas...don't know how that
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#118
Everyone should play the one-upsman game. She lies, someone one-ups her. Then someone
valerief
Dec 2013
#55
I would have a Festivus! Complete with feats of strength and airing of grievances.
silvershadow
Dec 2013
#58
No kidding. Some of the stuff is just mean. A little more Nelson Mandela and less Glen Beck is in
yellowcanine
Dec 2013
#92
i have come across some people like this over the years, the best is to ignore if possible
JI7
Dec 2013
#65
This is probably not the best way to handle it, but I'd personally respond to every story
penultimate
Dec 2013
#77
I think my daughter tolerates her nicely because she does do some nice things for her.
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#86
'Ours is just someone who "married in" to the family....' She is family then. Get used to it.
yellowcanine
Dec 2013
#89
That's exactly it! You nailed it. But I now have riffed on my earlier George Clooney tale...
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#97
I loved that story! Very funny, but not quite as funny as "The Night the Bed Fell."
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#102
''Like flatulence, her stuff just sits in the air around the holiday table every year.''
DeSwiss
Dec 2013
#105
I know someone like that, who takes no responsibility for herself and her actions, instead blaming
uppityperson
Dec 2013
#114
this is why I have decided not to get a tablet. I just can't do this...I need a keyboard...I mean a
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#119
I have gotten used to 4 finger typing but do typos and type slower. It is odd, with no
uppityperson
Dec 2013
#122
geez, that's all I need....sounds really bad to me, someone who can't stand to make
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#124
No, she didn't just marry into the family. This has been going on a LONG time. It's family lore by
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#129
well, nobody yells at her or is abusive towards her! She was challenged, yes, but not in a bad way.
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#111
Agreed: Genuine Compulsive/Pathological Lying Is A Serious Mental Health Issue
drgoodword
Dec 2013
#125
Oy, sorry for that. This woman doesn't drink so it has nothing to do with alcohol...
CTyankee
Dec 2013
#123