exaggeration and bipolar

[Shush67]

My Dad is a liar, i have known this for years but of late he is telling horrid stories of how mistreated he was as a child by his mum, tales of starvation, threats with knives, and more, his siblings who live in England have stated that none of this happened but he says it with total conviction, i am new at all this and have finally released that my Dad has a serious problem, is this sort of exageration part of bipolar? or is it something else? pls help

[thatquietgirl]

I would say lying is more of a character trait than a bipolar symptom.  However, if your dad is manic at the moment, he might truly believe the story he tells or exaggerate details due to grandiose thinking associated with mania.

But also remember in abuse type situations, not everyone in the family may be open to admitting what happened even if the abuser is dead or not in the picture.  Some people can block out memories and not really realize; others can go into denial.  Some people even see it as too humiliating to admit.  Others view it as a shameful family secret they have to carry with them.

[n40066]

my son is 24 and has bipolar....he is also a habitual liar.  he lies even when it would bear no consequence to tell the truth!  sometimes it is very obvious when he is not telling the truth, other times he merely makes the truth more dramatic, which is also easy to see.  but then there are times, when he tells things that you seriously doubr could be real, but the show of emotions on his part can be so very convincing that it's not always easy to know what's real and what's not.  during a rare and weak moment, he told me that sometimes he has trouble knowing what's real and what's not....because he lies so much!  most of the bipolar people i know, and especially the ones with addiction issues, do have a tendency to lie.  you just have to learn to read them as best you can.  usually, in time, he will tell me the truth, even if he does it by accident.  so for the most part, unless it is going to hurt him or someone else, i will let it slide and wait for the truth to come out.  bipolar is a horrible illness not only for the one that has it, but for those who love them as well.  i wish you luck, my friend!
elizabeth

[freddie8605]

Does your Dad have a diagnosis of bipolar? There are many reasons why some one will lie, but are you a 100% sure he is not telling the truth? because saying you have been abused when you haven't is a huge lie and i am not sure, other than to get attention why someone would say it. My Dad has bipolar and i wouldn't say he lies because i think he believes the stories he tells but i know aren't likely to be true because every time he tells them they change slightly and they become more dramatic, his favorite one to tell is he got cased by an elephant in Africa.

I would make sure you are 100% sure he is lying before accusing him. and like what i do when my dad tells his stories i just accept them as his stories and leave it because he wont change.

I also just want to say, i don't know it my dads "bipolar" that is what makes him tell these stories, i think its just his personality because i too have Bipolar and i don't tell stories.

If you are worried for him maybe try seeing if he will see a psychologist or talk to your local doctor.
Best of luck