Liars Anonymous Community Group

A support group to provide those with a compulsive addiction to lie a place to share hope, strength and courage with others like them; solve our common problem and help others with a compulsion to lie. We aren't alone!

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davidkc135 05/19/2016

I have an older sister who is a licensed clinical social worker and after speaking to her for years about my issues and my "symptoms" she is convinced that I am suffering from at least some level of Adult ADD or ADHD. She was also recently diagnosed with it as was our father and both are currently medicated for it. She sent me a questionnaire used in diagnosing adults and I guess you could say I either passed or failed with flying colors, depending on how you look at it. I'm wondering if anyone else has any thoughts on the connection between compulsion and impulse control and Adult ADD/ADHD. Thank you for reading/responding.

David

nomore27 05/19/2016

I have struggled with ADD probably my whole life, and have been diagnosed about 5 years ago. I've been prescribed ritalin, and it has helped, but it hasn't really helped with the lying. Here's my experience.

The ritalin made it a lot easier to get things done, especially at work. I have been able to sit at my desk and pay attention to the task at hand and get my work done in a timely manner. All good - it helped make it so that there were fewer opportunities to lie, fewer problems from work that I wanted to hide from my wife.

What it did not do, however, was change, in any way, my motivation to lie. So while there were fewer circumstances wanted to lie about, whenever one came up, the lies were still easy to tell. That's where I'm at now - sincerely working on my motivations to lie, and not just trying to make it so there are less times when I want to. I think the ritalin helped with a symptom, but I still need to go after the root causes.

davidkc135 05/19/2016

Thank you so much for the reply. That really makes a lot of sense. I told my wife that I'm not looking for a condition or disorder to blame my behavior on, I blame myself for my behaviors. That's the only way I think of to start trying to fix them. But if there is any link at all between ADD and my compulsion to lie, I want to address it. I think a combination of seeking help for possible ADD in addition to the counseling for compulsive lying and impulse control will help me take steps toward fixing myself.

greydog 05/27/2016

I have adult ADHD and have an issue with compulsive lying. Got diagnosed with the ADHD about a year ago and put first on Ritalin and then changed that to Dexamphetamine due to side effects of the former. Lying is something I have engaged in forever but have been working on a lot lately - but not with great success. It's been a real 5 steps forward 1 step back situation. Unfortunately, that 1 step back ruins everything and completely destroys whatever shreds of trust I may have been able to earn back. I am also a recovering alcoholic (9 years). Funny how I was able to leave the booze behind, but not the behaviours I developed from drinking.

Our marriage counselor/psychologist today, after advising my wife to leave me, was saying that there is a connection between ADHD and compulsive lying having to do with a lack of impulse control. Our brains misfire in the areas that would stop the crazy lies from popping out. Cold comfort though....

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