Why do people make up fake stories?

These fake stories are generally known as “white lies,” because they're intended to avoid harm and they're about trivial matters. Many white lies are only partially false or exaggerate the truth. Sometimes, people lie to avoid getting in trouble or to protect themselves from a threat. The root cause of pathological lying may be tied to genetics in some cases or can occur because of factors such as low self-esteem or a false sense of self. Sometimes a person lies pathologically because of an inherited mental health disorder or condition. It can be developmentally typical for teens to exaggerate the truth or tell lies. Sometimes, difficulties at home or in close relationships and mental health concerns contribute to this behavior. Teens might lie to get attention, but there's usually more to the story.