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Mythomania, sometimes referred to as pathological or compulsive lying, involves a pattern of frequent or habitual lying that goes beyond occasional dishonesty. It can affect relationships, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing, both for the person experiencing it and those around them. In this section you’ll find a collection of articles exploring mythomania, its possible causes, how it affects everyday life and relationships, and practical advice to help you better understand this complex behaviour. If you’re looking for professional support for mythomania, use the links below to learn more about how counselling can help or book a free consultation.
Finding out that someone you are close to lies compulsively — not occasionally, not strategically, but habitually and in ways that seem to serve no clear purpose — is a disorienting experience. The lies are often elaborate, often impossible to … Read more
One of the first questions people ask when they recognise a mythomania pattern — in themselves or in someone close to them — is whether anything can actually change. The pattern often feels fixed. It has usually been present for … Read more
Recognising the symptoms of mythomania is rarely straightforward. Unlike many psychological patterns, compulsive lying does not announce itself clearly. The person engaging in it may not be fully aware of the extent or nature of their own behaviour. The people … Read more
The discussion of mythomania tends to focus on what it does to the people who are lied to: the damage to trust, the relational harm, the confusion and hurt experienced by partners, friends, and family. These consequences are real and … Read more
Mythomania is a term that many people encounter and want to understand — either because they have recognised the pattern of compulsive, habitual lying in someone they know, or because they have noticed it in their own behaviour and are … Read more
If you are reading this because you have recognised something of yourself in descriptions of mythomania — because the compulsive, habitual lying that you have been told is a clinical pattern feels uncomfortably familiar — then this article is written … Read more
Lying in a relationship is not always the same thing. There is the lie told to avoid an awkward conversation, the exaggeration that becomes a habit, and the compulsive lying pattern that the person telling the lies often feels unable … Read more
Mythomania — the pattern of compulsive, habitual lying without clear external motivation — is not treated by a single standardised approach. Different therapeutic modalities address different aspects of the pattern, and the most effective treatment for any individual depends on … Read more
When someone we care about lies habitually and compulsively, or when we recognise this pattern in our own behaviour, one of the most pressing questions is why. Why does someone lie when there is no obvious reason to, when the … Read more
Navigating relationships can be complex. When a loved one struggles with mythomania, or pathological lying, it adds another layer of intricacy.Mythomania is more than just occasional dishonesty. It’s a psychological condition that can strain relationships and cause emotional turmoil.Understanding this … Read more