Is it normal to be taught to lie to your doctors?

Yes, it's normal. People who are in abusive situations are told to cover it up because certain professionals are what's called "mandated reporters". These people are required by law to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters are people who are in regular contact with children, elderly and invalids etc, like teachers, doctors, therapists and so on.

It's likely someone who was in charge of your care was breaking the law or doing something questionable and didn't want this to be communicated to a mandated reporter to avoid getting caught.

Not everything that's reportable is actual abuse though so think carefully about your family situation. Some people who have alternative, but not abusive/illegal lifestyles prefer to keep that information secretive to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Doctors may not disclose anything you tell them to ANYONE, without your permission.
Without knowing everything about you they cannot make a proper diagnosis and you are the loser.
I even tell my doctors all the illegal drugs I take and anything else which may have a bearing on my condition or problem.

What sort of things did you lie about?

Nope, not normal.

Sounds like some really old time conservative type behavior. Something like you should be ashamed of whatever is wrong with you, and therefore not tell your doctor? Like you should die instead of feel "shame"? I don't know the reasoning behind lying to a doctor besides insurance fraud and drug addiction.

Everyone lies to their doctor. Who walk in and says:

"Yeah Doc, well, I drink a couple times a week, don't really work out much, eat like trash, am sexually promiscuous, don't read, or do anything product to invest in my health. Oh yeah, I also smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, watch porn twice a day, etc."}

Think about it. Everyone sugar coats the truth in some form or another. Some people will call that "Bending the truth", others, "White lie", well guess what, a lie is a lie.

Now, if you mean blatantly lying to the doctor for some reason or another (e.g. to score drugs). That is a different story.

It is if they are therapist but its is a general aid doctor that is a sign of abuse.

I almost forgot. The doctor not only can, but is MANDATED to call the cops in certain circumstances. Those circumstances vary by state. Its usually about possible child abuse or molestation, gunshot or stab wounds, or if your spouse is in the er for the 6th time with a broken bone they got by "walking into a door." Again, I hope this helps. The risks of lying to your doctor is not worth the rewards.

It depends on what you were taught to lie about, as well as why. In the early 80s, they didn't have a way to test for aids. As a result, many people lied about their religious preference in order to avoid blood transfusions. In the question, I got the impression it might be mental illness issues in your family. My family also has mental illness issues. I can tell you without doubt that they WONT diagnose you on history alone, you have to exhibit symptoms yourself. Also, even if you are mentally ill, they can't forcibly lock you in an institution unless you are a danger to yourself or others. Really, look up the laws in your state. Last but not least, doctors pay so much in malpractice insurance specifically because there are so many ways to sue. You have to be able to trust them, therefore, you can sue if they betray your trust. I hope this helped a little. There are a lot of us out there who come from families full of mental illness. Remember, we only LOOK normalish ;-)

Never lie to someone who gets paid to help you. Don't trust people who don't get paid to help you.

Not sure what the possible reason to lie to doctors is. Doctors can't even release any information about you to the cops without a court order.
Doctors are here to help you, and the only way to help you, is to completely and thoroughly know EVERYTHING that is going on in your life. From your sex life to where you vacation, so they can either test for or eliminate the possibilities of STDs or diseases from exotic animals/insects. And you should also tell them about any illegal drug habits you have, that may be the cause of things. etc etc. They won't tell anyone.

The only reason to lie to doctors, is lying to court/parent ordered psychiatrists, who you don't have a choice in what medicines you take. EVERY single medicine a psychiatrist gives you is going to fuck you up in one way or another.