Lying about being ill

[Whywouldyousayit]

If you were told by someone close to you that they had been diagnosed with a terrible illness and actually they hadn’t been told that at all, how would you handle it? I’m angry but I dislike confrontation and am thinking that no one in their right mind would do such a thing, so perhaps they aren’t in their right mind. Why else would you do it?

There could be loads of reasons. You don't actually know if they definitely haven't got it, unless you've seen their medical records?

Depends, have they misunderstood, blatantly lied or have health anxiety?

Are you certain that they're lying?

Did they only hear what they absolutely feared? Or do they have form for dramatics?

Or it could be a bit of both?

How do you know they are lying?
I would be very angry and disappointed xx

I've come across this in my job a few times (I used to work for a company doctor). It's never just the lie, the lie is there to cover up another big problem that they don't want to talk about. The true story always was also very difficult for them and they needed professional/medical/psychatric help with that.

Pressed send too soon.

So I always was accepting, helpful and understanding, because they really needed that.

Depends why they are doing it? Is it a fear they are projecting? Is it someone who has self diagnosed? Or are they lying to get some kind of benefit from it?

It depends on the situation.

If they were told to prepare for a potential diagnosis and we're going for tests and they've got jumbled when talking about it, I'd be sympathetic as it must be quite difficult having a nasty health scare.

If they're prone to lying or have outright made it up, then I'd probably not challenge them on it afterwards, but it would change my view of them

There's not enough information to give an opinion really.

An outright lie, absolutely back away. An exaggeration - maybe some conversations and understanding

I've a close relative who told me they had oral cancer and were having weekly treatment. Their story didn't make sense because they seemed to have really low awareness of the treatments.
I insisted that I'd accompany them to one of their appointments as it was over 50 miles away and suddenly there was no more mention of cancer treatment. This person has a background of being a fantasist but in this case they were putting all sorts of responsibilities, financial and caring, unto other family members.