Why do you lie that much?

I had a boyfriend who was a compulsive liar, he would lie about everything, things he did, food he ate, how was his day, about weather, his jobs, friends etc, he would lie not only to me but also to his family who he loved the most. He involved me in many lies and I always protected him. When we broke up he told me many things that wasn't true at all, like that I was a cheater etc. He accused me for things he did. I felt so sick till the point I had to visit a psychiatrist.
Can you please explain me why do you lie so much? What's the point? I am so hurt and down now. Is it possible that he didn't know about his lies? Because when I confronted him, he was always like "I don't know" or "I don't remember" or he covered the lie with other lie. He was so good at it that if you didn't spend a lot of time with him, you would not even discover.
Isn't it exhausting to lie like that? You can't even remember each lie you tell.
I would really like to know why would a person who claimed he loved me, lied to me so much.

I have been doing the same thing to my wife and my parents for several years now. i am also one to say "i don't know" or "I can't remember" and can't remember each lie i have told either, I would involve my wife in my lies and would lie to my parents. I knew I was lying when I did it. I usually lied to avoid confrontation to make things that I have done seem better than they were. about spending money, cover it up, about where I've been, cover it up. I cant tell you whether or not he loved you but I can say that I'm sure he knows he's lying, like me he seems like a compulsive liar, he's probably doing it for attention to make himself feel/seem more important or wanting sympathy, or something like that, it seems like compulsive liars say the first thing that comes to there minds that sounds the best, like always looking for the right answer(the one that he thinks you want to hear) kinda thing, if that makes any sense... and it is for sure exhausting lying so much and trying to keep on top of what you have lied about as to not get caught. I am still new at the whole admitting I am a compulsive liar but in my days in doing such it feels like I can finally start to show my wife how much I love her and I am so grateful she stuck around. I wish you the best and hope you can some day get past his disorder and trust again.

Sincerely Devin.

I can (obviously) only speak for myself. However my experience differs from the poster above me. I don't find lying exhausting at all, in fact often it's easier than telling the truth for me. I have more trouble remembering the truths than I do the lies. Also I don't lie to tell people what they want to hear, in fact I often do the opposite. For me there is no why, I just lie. Maybe to appease an over active imagination, but that's all I could come up with if i tried.

Why would someone who loved you, lie to you? in my opinion it's probably a simpler reason than you would think. Maybe he's like me and lying was easier, maybe like the above user he was trying to spare you (or himself) from something uncomfortable. The fact is most people don't really want the truth anyway because for most norms, you lie to avoid a punishment or spare someone their feelings. Him lying to you, and claiming to love you (as you put it) are probably unrelated. Sometimes it's just a compulsion, just what is. Despite what some people would like to believe someone's ability to lie to you, is no indication of there love (or lack of) love for you.

thanks both, I actually think that my ex had both - he wanted to choose the right answer and he found lying easier (although it's weird for me), and same as th second poster he sometimes said it opposite just to made me angry

i highly recommend that you read The Liars Revelation. It really helped my parents understand what a compulsive liar is like. The problem is they often don't even realize they are compulsive liars until they just DO. I had some serious lies get me into some serious trouble which is what brought me to realize and start getting help. The only way people can change is if they WANT TO. This disease is not a normal one and needs to be treated as a self esteem / personality disorder issue. Its hard to stay w/ someone who has no idea they are lying and is not seeking treatment. I am sorry for you it is such a tough spot to be and one i have put people in! Thanks for looking into it though