My Teen Son Won’t Stop Lying: How Do I Help Him?

Parents have memories of their children when they were sweet little babies, and it’s quite a shock when they become a teenager and develop a habit of lying. Their parents struggle to understand what’s going on and if it’s more than just poor teenage choices. If you find yourself asking the question “How to stop my son from lying,”  you may need help understanding the cause of a teenage boy’s deception. 

Contact Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center today to talk about how we can help your son express himself without resorting to lying. 

Why Does My Son Constantly Lie To Me and Others?

Approximately 96% of teenagers lie to their parents either through telling a direct lie or withholding information.

Part of learning how to stop my son from lying is understanding why he tells fibs in the first place. The usual teenage rebellion includes lying or exaggerating the truth now and again, but when a son lies constantly, he may be engaged in experiences or scenarios that he feels he cannot share with his parents without getting into trouble. This can include using drugs or alcohol, being bullied, skipping school, engaging in illegal activities, or trouble with dating. 

For some teenagers, it just becomes a habit to lie. The web they create with deception grows bigger and it becomes more difficult to keep up with the lies. For many parents, the best way to understand what’s going on with their son is to attend therapy to help the child express himself without lying.

Can a Pattern of Lying Indicate a Mental Health Disorder?

Lying on a continual basis may be a symptom of a mental illness, rather than the actual problem. For example, a teenager with ADHD or bipolar disorder may make impulsive or dangerous choices as part of their illness, but feel they have to cover up what they did so they don’t get in trouble. Teenagers with depression and anxiety often struggle with feelings of sadness or frustration, and that can come out as lying in reaction to their parents asking what’s wrong. 

How to Stop My Son From Lying

When someone’s son has turned lying into a habit, there are approaches parents can take to try to guide them back into telling the truth. 

Accountability

When the adolescent lies, hold them accountable for their behavior.

Parents who try to cover up their child’s lies aren’t doing them any favors. If the lie impacts someone, the teenager should be told to admit what they did and apologize. For many teens, knowing they will get in trouble for telling lies is enough to make them think twice before telling one.

Set Consequences

Parents should spell out the consequences of lying and other poor behavioral choices so their son understands that what they do has consequences.

For example, breaking curfew or not doing their chores may result in losing screen time or being grounded. Punishments usually work well when they are short-term and not out of proportion to what the child did. The point is to teach them that they have the power to make the right choice, and when they don’t, they will have consequences. 

Emphasize the Importance of Honesty

Parents should remember to focus on teaching their child to do the right thing because it is the right thing, not out of fear of retribution.

This should be discussed with the child with an emphasis on why dishonesty is unfair and rarely solves a problem permanently. The parents can give examples that help build empathy in their son, such as, “What if I promised to pick you up from school, but I was lying and didn’t show up? How would you feel, and would it affect your ability to trust me?” 

Professional Treatment

When signs point to the son having more than just a bad habit of lying, parents can consult with their child’s doctor and ask for a referral to a program that treats teenagers.

The lying may be a symptom of their mental illness and only a thorough analysis by a mental expert can help figure out what’s going on.

Are There Types of Therapy That Help Teenagers Who Lie?

Because lying can be part of a pattern of having a mental health disorder, attending therapy can help teenagers who have communication and coping skills that don’t work.

Common types of therapy used to treat troubled teenagers include:

• Adolescent Therapy Programs
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Education
• Behavioral Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Personal Development 

Many teenagers with mental health disorders benefit from taking prescription medications. Our team evaluates each person to see if a med might help them deal with symptoms like anxiety, depression, and moodiness. 

Begin Treatment for Teenage Mental Health Disorders at Hillcrest

Do you find yourself wondering, “How to stop my son from lying”, and have run out of effective options at home? Hillcrest offers comprehensive care for teenagers struggling with poor mental health. We match your child with the therapies that will give them the best results and treat them with compassion as they move through our program. We also keep you up-to-date about your child and offer family therapy sessions to help the family heal together.

Contact Hillcrest for more information about how we can help your teenage son. Ask about our free insurance verifications to help you understand all of your options.