What Is Compulsive Lying Illness in Relationships? 7 Ways to Deal

Sometimes the person you love keeps telling stories that don’t quite add up, and you’re left wondering why it keeps happening… or what it means for your connection. It can feel confusing, frustrating, and even a little heartbreaking.

When someone struggles with compulsive lying illness, the impact goes far beyond the words themselves; it touches trust, safety, and the simple comfort of believing in each other.

You might start questioning your instincts, tiptoeing around conversations, or replaying moments late at night as you try to make sense of it all. And yet, a small part of you may still hold hope, wanting clarity, honesty, and a chance to feel secure again.

What is compulsive lying illness in relationships?

Compulsive lying in relationships often shows up as a pattern of telling untruths, even when there’s nothing to gain and no real reason to hide anything. It can leave the other person feeling confused, hurt, or unsure of what’s real.

Sometimes the lying becomes automatic, almost like a reflex, and the partner who lies may not fully understand why they do it.

Emotional fears, past wounds, or deeper struggles can all play a role; in some cases, people even explore the connection between mental illness and compulsive lying to understand it better. Whatever the cause, the ripple effect on trust can feel overwhelming.

• Is compulsive lying a mental illness?

Compulsive lying itself isn’t considered a stand-alone mental illness, but it can show up alongside other emotional or psychological struggles. Sometimes it’s tied to deep insecurity, fear, or old survival habits that never really healed.

And in some cases, it’s connected to conditions that make impulse control or truthful communication harder… which can be painful for everyone involved.

7 ways to deal with compulsive lying in a relationship

When you’re dealing with repeated dishonesty, it can feel confusing, exhausting, and strangely isolating. Even when you understand that compulsive lying illness isn’t about you, the impact still lands on your heart and your sense of safety.

Finding steady ground again takes care, patience, and a willingness to look at the larger emotional patterns at play. These steps can help you move forward with more clarity and compassion.

1. Have an honest, calm conversation

Start by approaching the topic gently, choosing a time when things aren’t tense or rushed. Let your partner know how their behavior affects you without blaming or shaming them. Share how the broken trust makes you feel, and invite them to talk about what drives the dishonesty.

A steady, calm conversation sets the stage for understanding rather than conflict. When you both feel safe, you’re more likely to reach a clearer place together.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Pick a peaceful moment rather than reacting in frustration.
• Use “I feel…” statements instead of accusations.
• Ask if they’re willing to explore the deeper reasons behind the habit.

2. Observe patterns without jumping to conclusions

Take a step back and notice when lying occurs, how often it happens, and what triggers seem to be involved. This isn’t about policing them; it’s about understanding emotional patterns. When you can identify these patterns, you’re better prepared to respond rather than react.

Awareness helps you protect your emotional space while still staying grounded. Over time, these observations can give you both a clearer view of what’s really going on.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Keep mental notes instead of confronting every lie.
• Notice stressors, conflicts, or moments of insecurity.
• Look for repeated themes rather than isolated incidents.

3. Set gentle but clear boundaries

Boundaries aren’t punishments; they’re expressions of what you need to feel safe. If the lying continues, let your partner know which behaviors you can’t accept and why. People sometimes need clarity to understand the real impact of their choices.

You can be firm and compassionate at the same time, explaining that honesty is essential for connection. These boundaries help protect both your well-being and the relationship.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• State what you need plainly and calmly.
• Explain how lying affects your ability to stay emotionally close.
• Follow through on boundaries without guilt.

4. Encourage professional support

Therapy can be incredibly helpful, especially when the lying feels automatic or deeply rooted. Some people aren’t fully aware of the emotional wounds or fears that drive their behavior.

Guided support can help them understand and change long-standing habits. You can gently encourage them to seek help without making them feel broken or judged. This step can open the door to real healing.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Suggest therapy during a calm, supportive moment.
• Offer to help them research providers if they feel overwhelmed.
• Normalize getting help rather than presenting it as a “fix.”

5. Focus on rebuilding trust slowly

Trust doesn’t come back all at once, even if the lying stops. It grows through small, consistent choices that feel safe and reliable. Progress may come in waves, with good days and harder ones.

Celebrate the moments that feel honest and genuine. These small steps can eventually lead to a stronger, steadier connection.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Acknowledge honest moments when they happen.
• Look for consistency rather than perfection.
• Let trust rebuild naturally instead of forcing it.

6. Take care of your emotional needs, too

Supporting someone through this can be draining, and your feelings matter just as much as theirs. Check in with yourself often; ask what you’re carrying and where you feel overwhelmed.

Being close to someone navigating compulsive lying illness can pull you into emotional knots, so you need space to process. Talk to trusted friends or a therapist who can offer perspective. Caring for yourself keeps you from becoming emotionally burnt out.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Reflect on how the situation affects your mood and energy.
• Share your feelings with someone supportive.
• Take breaks when the emotional weight feels too heavy.

7. Decide what long-term health looks like for you

Over time, you may need to decide what’s truly sustainable for your well-being. Change is possible, especially when someone genuinely wants to heal, but it takes ongoing effort. Think about what kind of relationship feels healthy, safe, and nurturing for you.

Whether you stay, pause, or walk away, choosing the path that protects your peace is an act of self-respect. And if compulsive lying illness continues despite support, it’s okay to prioritize your own future.

Here’s how you should approach it:

• Reflect on your needs without guilt or pressure.
• Notice whether real effort and change are happening.
• Choose the path that protects your long-term emotional health.

Watch this TED Talk in which Dr. Janie Lacy explains toxic relationship patterns and how self-compassion supports healing:

How does compulsive lying differ from occasional dishonesty?

Compulsive lying and occasional dishonesty may look similar on the surface, but they come from very different emotional places. Most people tell small, situational lies from time to time… maybe to avoid hurting someone’s feelings or to get out of an awkward moment.

These lies usually have a clear purpose, and the person still feels grounded in truth. Compulsive lying, on the other hand, can feel automatic and hard to control; the lies keep coming even when there’s nothing to gain, and the person may struggle to explain why it happens.

Here’s a simple way to see the difference:

Compulsive lying tends to grow into a painful cycle that affects trust, communication, and emotional safety. Occasional dishonesty, while still frustrating, rarely carries the same depth of confusion or long-term impact. Understanding this difference can help you respond with more clarity, calm, and compassion.

Healing beyond the lies

Navigating a relationship touched by compulsive lying illness can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t mean you’re powerless or alone. With patience, honest reflection, and steady boundaries, you can create space for clarity and emotional safety again.

Some days may feel heavy, and others might offer small signs of progress… both matter. What truly counts is honoring your feelings, noticing what helps you breathe easier, and choosing what supports your long-term well-being.

Whether healing happens together or separately, you deserve honesty, steadiness, and a sense of peace moving forward.

Marriage.com Assessment

Relationship Test: What Help Does Your Relationship Need Most Right Now?

If your relationship feels off balance, if communication feels harder, connection weaker, or tension more frequent, this assessment can help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Grounded in relationship psychology and evidence-...

Questions: 20 | Last updated: Nov 18, 2025

Sample Question

When you and your partner talk about something important…

We listen with care — even hard talks feel safe and productive

We try to talk, but lately emotional closeness feels harder to reach

I want to be open, but part of me still guards my heart

Our discussions sometimes spiral or end unresolved

It’s hard to feel close because our physical intimacy hasn’t felt strong lately

We often see things differently about goals or priorities

Take the Quiz Now

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Noah Williams Author

Noah loves to write on matters of the heart and mind. His experiences have taught him that being an honest friend who communicates well and giving importance to self-love can go a long way in maintaining loving relationships. When... Read more he’s not writing or advising people on how to thrive in their relationships, he loves exploring new places with his partner, working out, and pretending that he’s good at cooking exotic stuff. Read less