I am a compulsive liar and want help... I am ruining my relationship with my boyfriend of 5 years and my children's lifes... someone help me figure out how or what to do to make this stop... I'm not sure if it is a deeper issue like low self esteem or depression or what but I do need to talk to a professional about this I just don't know where to go or start looking for help... I don't have a lot of money to spend on it but I am open to sugestions... please help...

Stop yourself before you go to lie and think it through. Ask yourself why am I telling my husband (or whoever) this and what does it really accomplish that the truth wouldn't and why do I feel the need to say something that isn't fact and why do I want to risk looking like a liar?
Often people see straight through a compulsive liar and know they are making stuff up but either don't want to hurt their feelings or just figure they want to spare the argument challenging their lie. So remember you are only making yourself look bad and unreliable.

Call your county health department or Catholic Charities or Lutheran Social Services. Each agency has social workers and counselors who counsel on a sliding scale depending on your income.

Congratulations, you are half way there! Acknowledging a problem is the first (and very important) step. Where do you live? Do you work outside of the home?

Some employers have Employee's Assistance Programs (EAP's) that can refer you to appropriate services. Perhaps your husband (or you, if you work) might have access to something like that. Your family doctor might be able to refer you to someone, as well.

Here is a page that you can start with: Open Directory - Health: Mental Health: Counselling Services: Directories. Hopefully you can find something with the avenues suggested, but if not, please let us know your general location.

Good luck in your journey.

Hugs, Didi

Do you lie only to him? Are you afraid to tell the truth due to irrational responses? Does he only beg for the truth and try to be patient? I know very little about your situation and it is hard to give advice based on what I have read so far. Lying is something that is addictive just like any repetitive behaviours. One thing you may want to try is start a note book and write down all of the lies you tell and have told {at least the ones you can remember}and deal with them head on with honesty. I have no idea about your relationship with your husband and how he reacts to being lied to. I have been in his shoes " I think" and it is so frustrating not understanding why it does not stop. It really can create big trust problems that sometimes has to be dealt with by mediation and therapy. Getting proper free or inexpensive mental health help is difficult in Canada let alone in the states, and when you get an appointment you may only see the doctor once a month. I would have course look into that, but use the Internet and research the condition and see if there are steps you can take to help remedy this problem together with him and {or} anyone who would support you. If it is what I remember, it is something that has to be fixed now. Good luck2u.