What Would You Do With People Who Lied About Being Mentally Ill?

A bit of background here:

Somebody I know of has lied about being mentally ill for a long time. He thinks that by saying he has problems, people will have to be nice to him and be sympathetic/understanding.

He has used his fake condition to get a job and even a girlfriend.

The truth is, he is a manipulator and a user of people - once he has had use of you, he casts you aside.

He has never been tested for mental health issues, apparently he self medicates (with what, I don't know) and is prone to temper tantrums and outbursts when people question him.

I have not spoken with him in a long time, as I feel he is harmful to people who have genuine illnesses and more importantly want to get better.

Would you like to see liars like him behind bars, or do they need support even though they are douchebags?

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katielass · F

Wouldn't you think there's something wrong with someone who pretends to have an illness in order to get attention or other benefits. Maybe not what you think but there's got to be something.

BookOfSouls85 · 36-40, M

@katielass If I could work out why, it'd be something. The guy in question, to the best of my knowledge, has had a decent life and upbringing with good parents and wasn't bullied in school. He never wanted for anything - maybe that's something to do with it... a 'too easy' life?

katielass · F

@BookOfSouls85 I get what you're saying but remember, mental illness can strike anyone at any time. It doesn't just happen to people who have had less than wonderful lives. But in this instance his having had a too easy life may have made him feel he deserves perfection and so he acts out when life is less than perfect. But more likely, he may have never felt loved. that can happen to a lot of people who we perceive as having easy lives. Maybe their lives are easy but that;s separate from family love. You know what I mean?

BookOfSouls85 · 36-40, M

@katielass Certainly food for thought, thanks!

katielass · F

@BookOfSouls85 Sometimes we think someone's life is perfect and we find out it's not perfect at all, it's pretty sad.