Can't stop lying

Hi, I'm Chris.

Since I was little, I've had a problem with lying. At first it was little things, like brushing teeth. It would only happen every once and a while. Now I'm lying all the time. I don't know how to stop. Because of it, my grades are slipping because I lie to my parents about having homework, then convince myself that I'll do it later, then I just never do it. My parents never believe me anymore, even when I'm telling the truth. Then, every once in a while they'll try to believe me, but then I'll blow it by lying in to them, thinking I won't be found out. Most of the time I'm found out, and that just makes them believe me even less. I just want to stop lying. I want people to trust me again. I want to be believed. Can someone help me?

Hi Chris ,

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this . Is there anyone at your school that you can talk to , like a counselor ?

I think the first step to addressing any problem is to admit that we have one and we need help to overcome it . Even though you are posting here ( which is a huge and positive step ) , the lying issue is still not getting any help IRL .

Compulsions are not choices . You aren't a bad person and you aren't lying for fun or because you feel like it . It is more serious than that and it needs professional help and counseling from people who can give you the tools to help stop the behavior . You owe this to yourself . It will be hard and perhaps embarrassing or painful to reach out , but it is necessary . It's for your future .

Your parents already know about the lying . It would probably be a big relief to them if you asked them to find help for it and explain that it is something that is beyond your power to control at this time . They love you , but they can't help you by themselves , whether they understand the compulsion or not .

I wish you the best .