Mythomania: Lying To Make Yourself Look Good

😲 According to an American study, we lie twice a day to make ourselves look good or give a good impression of ourselves, but some people are pathological liars, and they’re called mythomaniacs. What is the profile of a mythomaniac, and what do you about them? Here are some answers.

What is mythomania? - Here's the definition

Mythomaniacs have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary. The author believes in their own lies and manages to convince those around them thanks to their great determination. Their imagination creates events or acts that never happened with very precise details, adding a part of reality. 😏 Note that mythomaniacs will often play the victim or the hero in their stories.

>>> Discover the reasons why we lie.

What are the 4 types of mythomania?:

Fragile and hyperemotional, mythomaniacs pay particular attention to what others think. We can nevertheless find 4 typical profiles of mythomania:

• 1) The conceited type: here, the mythomaniac will boast to make themselves look good. For example, by saying “I’ve been promoted, I’m now a senior manager”, when all they got was a bonus.
• 2) The wanderer: the person prefers to run away by saying “It’s not my fault”.
• 3) The clever one: thanks to slander, the person compensates for an inferiority complex. They’re therefore quick to criticize, saying for example “You’re useless, I succeeded long before you”.
• 4) The pervert: the mythomaniac will invent stories to defraud with phrases like “I’ve got no more money, can you help me?”, even though they get by just fine.

Is a mythomaniac also a manipulator?

Children are all mythomaniacs, through their imagination and inexperience, they alter reality unconsciously. In adults, mythomania is a real pathology. Note that mythomaniac adults have retained a childlike attitude and don’t want to grow up, they’re stuck in childhood.

Whether they’re playing the role of the victim or the savior, mythomaniacs can invent a life from scratch. The consequences can therefore be very serious. If we know that our fantasies remain fantasies, mythomaniacs live them without any complex. So why do mythomaniacs lie?

What are the causes of mythomania?

• Narcissism: mythomaniacs can’t stand reality or who they are. Here, we’re faced with the pathology of narcissism, i.e. self-love.
• Failure: any negative event such as an emotional shock or a professional failure seems impossible to live with for mythomaniacs. They will therefore escape reality by inventing an easier world.

4 steps to help a mythomaniac get cured

1. Help them to regain their self-confidence

Mythomaniacs have low self-esteem and will therefore distort reality. It’s thus essential to work on and develop their self-confidence.

2. Talk about the situation

Having set up a climate of trust, talk together about their situation and their experiences. Providing support and help is fundamental to the healing process.

3. Encourage a return to reality

By taking the facts as they happened, you encourage them to gradually return to reality. It’s important that they realize the duplicity of their reality, but be careful not to go against their words too abruptly, as this may cause them to become even more entrenched in their lies.

4. Get them to see a specialist

Bring up the idea of a consultation with a therapist or a psychologist. Usually, mythomaniacs won’t come to a consultation on their own, but when they’re in front of a neutral professional, it’ll be easier for them to become themselves again. Note that this treatment can be combined with a cognitive and behavioral therapy.

Be sure to check out these articles too;

• 3 Things that prevent you from savoring the moment
• Try the digital detox
• How to recognize a sociopath