4/5/2023 0 Comments Pathological liar quizWhen you are undiagnosed and unaware of your ADHD, the symptoms are inexplicable. “I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until age 55. It doesn’t keep the axe from falling - it just postpones it for a while.” – Anonymous It’s like a fantasy ‘get out of jail free’ card. “I tend to ‘stretch the truth’ when I feel backed into a corner, or when I’m aware that my actions (or failure to act) have screwed things up, but the other person hasn’t realized it yet. I wish I could just agree to disagree with my ‘accuser.’” – Becky I know it’s a defense mechanism, deeply rooted in past experiences. “As an adult with ADHD, I lie when confronted with a potential fault in my character. After therapy, and taking my medication regularly, it became clear that I was not only lying to make people like me, but to like myself more, too.” – Anonymous As I got older and my lies were caught, I began to see the adverse effect. I believe it was a way for me to cope, and even if it wasn’t working, I began to believe what I said. Lying conserves my precious energy reserve.” – Diane Coming up with a quick-and-easy response requires less energy than processing my thoughts about the question, and organizing an articulate response. I am explaining the reasons for lying, not excusing it.” – Kathleen When you’re diagnosed at 60, the lies are so entrenched in your fabric of being, it’s very difficult to put the coping mechanism of lying to bed. Lying is a massive coping strategy to help overcome years of believing negative stuff about yourself. “As someone with ADHD who has been criticized, belittled, invalidated, etc., lying becomes a part of your existence that covers up the ‘bad,’ ‘thick,’ ‘lazy’ person you think you are. Share your stories about ADHD and lying in the Comments section below. Here, ADDitude readers tell us when and why they tend to stretch, embellish, or disregard the truth, and how it makes them feel. But almost always, lying leads to feelings of shame and remorse in adults with ADHD. Sometimes, it is an impulse that the ADHD brain simply can’t control. Sometimes, it is the sympathetic nervous system’s natural response to danger. Sometimes, it is a useful (though often regrettable) defense mechanism.
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