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I Suck At Lying
I recently had to take a polygraph for work. It isn’t unusual, as when you obtain a high-security clearance, you will likely get selected periodically for a Counterintelligence polygraph.
In fact, I’m shocked that I haven’t been selected prior as I have had my clearance since 1988. I was a little concerned about taking it, as I have read that Rheumatoid Arthritis and associated medications can cause problems for those having to take a polygraph. I was mostly worried about not having total control over muscle spasms and having to nearly constantly move my hands and feet to help keep them from getting too painful. But all that was quickly put to the wayside as the administrator of the polygraph was more than willing to work with me and I only had to sit still for 5-6 minutes each session. He allowed me to stand and stretch as needed and so on.
I did have to have a few parts run again as they were getting false readings by me moving my toes constantly. After it was pointed out to me. I focused on not moving and answering the questions which ultimately got the whole thing done quicker.
I was only in the examiner’s office for 2.5 hours having to redo parts twice, once for moving too much and the other because, as the examiner stated, “You aren’t very good at lying” as I forgot not once, but twice to intentionally lie on my control questions.
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