When should you get help for a child who’s a habitual liar?
Ask an Expert
When should you get help for a child who's a habitual liar?
Clinical Expert: Harold S. Koplewicz, MD
en EspañolQ When should you get help for a child who's a habitual liar?
Children lie for many reasons. Sometimes they do it to avoid consequences. Sometimes they do it when feeling inadequate, insecure, or anxious. Sometimes they are simply copying a peer’s or an adult’s bad behavior. Lying, however, is a symptom, not a diagnosis. If a child is habitually lying and then experiencing distress or dysfunction, it is time to seek professional help and a psychiatric evaluation.
This article was last reviewed or updated on October 31, 2023.
Topic:
Behavior Problems
Harold S. Koplewicz, MD
Harold S. Koplewicz, MD, is the founding President and Medical Director of the Child Mind Institute and is a senior … Read Bio
