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How to Tell If You’ve Fallen Into a Victim Mentality, According to a Therapist

Rejecting solutions, resisting feedback and seeing accountability as invalidation can all be signs you’re stuck in a victim mindset.

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Most people don’t enjoy viewing themselves as a victim, but falling into a victim mindset after experiencing pain or trauma can feel comfortable and validating. However, there’s a major difference between enduring challenging circumstances (e.g., a scary diagnosis, a horrific trauma, a debilitating injury, etc.) and taking on the role of the “victim” in every aspect of your life. According to a therapist, here’s how to spot the difference and rise above the victim mindset.

Being a Victim vs. Playing the Victim

It’s often difficult to distinguish between someone who has been a victim and someone who is playing the victim, because these experiences typically overlap. For example, an individual who has been betrayed, treated poorly, or victimized in any way can slip into........

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