Psychology Today Examines Compulsive Lying and its Roots in Shame
Psychology Today has published an article delving into the psychological underpinnings of compulsive lying, distinguishing it from other forms of deception such as those employed by frauds, con men, or undercover operatives. The article, authored by Terri Apter, Ph.D., highlights that compulsive liars are not primarily motivated by a desire to trick others for personal gain, but rather to cover a deep-seated sense of shame and inadequacy. Their lies serve to elicit admiration, which they use to construct a fragile and distorted sense of self. This constant need for external validation drives a continuous cycle of fabricating stories, often leading to carelessness in their deception. Unlike individuals who deceive for specific purposes and can move on when exposed, compulsive liars experience profound shame and a loss of self when their falsehoods are revealed, as their identity is entirely dependent on the admiration they receive through their lies. The article emphasizes that this behavior stems from a co... 
