If you feel your partner is a compulsive liar, you’re put in a very difficult situation. Because trust is the foundation of all successful relationships, being with a compulsive liar makes having a healthy relationship almost impossible.
In this article, we’ll go over how to deal with a compulsive liar in a relationship, and why you probably shouldn’t stay with them.
How to Deal with a Compulsive Liar
First, it’s worth noting that “compulsive liar” refers to a real condition where people lie about pretty much everything. This is different from “pathological liars” who lie for their own benefit, and just regular people who lie a lot.
Regardless of which type of liar your partner is, being with someone who is comfortable with lying can be very difficult. This is especially true when it comes to building trust with them.
If you’re committed to your relationship, you may want to try talking with them about their lying. Be open and honest, and express that this behavior is putting a toll on your relationship. You may even want to suggest they seek treatment for this behavior. If they value your relationship, they will hopefully take your advice to heart.
There are possible treatments for both compulsive and pathological lying. If your partner can acknowledge the issue with their lying, therapy or medication may help them become more honest.
However, when you talk to them, they may be unwilling to acknowledge that they lie about things, or that lying is an issue. In this case, any treatment will be much more difficult, and carrying on with your relationship may be a challenge.
Why You Shouldn’t Stay with a Compulsive Liar
Even if you love your partner, having a relationship with a compulsive liar will be incredibly difficult. It can be difficult to discern when they’re telling the truth and will make it nearly impossible to have an open, trusting relationship.
Your partner may even use their lying as a way to emotionally manipulate you. This “gaslighting” behavior is often linked to emotional abuse, which can be very difficult to overcome.
If you’re in this situation, understand that you’re not alone. Reach out to friends and family for support in dealing with your partner. Therapy may also be a space where you can get some support and advice for dealing with your partner.
Overall, compulsive lying is one of the biggest red flags in any relationship. While your partner may be willing to seek treatment, the damage may already be done to the trust between you. In most cases, we recommend moving on from the relationship instead of trying to make it work.
Conclusion
Dealing with compulsive liars is never easy – especially when it’s your partner. Trust is one of the most important factors in any relationship, so this kind of behavior is unacceptable. In our opinion, you’re likely best off breaking up with a liar, instead of trying to fix them.
