| Drama Junkies thrive on crisis. They are perpetually in | | | | personal reasonability to fix, you might be a Drama |
| "crisis mode". As soon as one situation is under | | | | Junkie. |
| control, a new problem requires their attention. They | | | | How can you break the addiction to drama? |
| are constantly putting out fires and rarely have | | | | - Give up the need to be everyone's savior. It is not |
| moments of peace and calm in their lives. | | | | your job to fix other people's problems or save them |
| Drama Junkies thrive on high pressure situations and | | | | from the natural consequences of their own behavior. |
| often feel uneasy when everything seems to be fine. | | | | Allow others the dignity of learning from their own |
| If you grew up in a family where dysfunction was | | | | mistakes. |
| part of the family dynamic, you may have | | | | - Find ways to bring excitement into your life that |
| experienced high levels of anxiety as you witnessed | | | | doesn't involve getting enmeshed in other people's |
| unpredictable behavior from one or both of your | | | | problems. Learn how to scuba dive; plan a vacation |
| parents. | | | | for you and your family; start selling handmade items |
| Severe mood swings, violent tempers, loud | | | | on eBay. |
| outbursts, and name-calling are all damaging to a | | | | - Embrace and enjoy moments of peace and quiet. |
| child's sense of safety and well-being. Over time, a | | | | Get used to turning off the radio and television for |
| state of constant uneasiness and anxiety begins to | | | | short periods of time throughout the day. Go for a |
| feel "normal". | | | | fifteen minute walk and leave your iPod behind. Allow |
| Years later the "adult child" may unknowingly attract | | | | the sounds of nature to soothe your soul instead of |
| people, situations and events that bring about the | | | | frantically filling up every moment with endless |
| same intense feelings experienced in childhood. And | | | | distractions. |
| so the cycle continues. | | | | As with any learned pattern of behavior, it may take |
| How can you tell if you are a Drama Junkie? | | | | a little time and some conscious effort at first to let |
| - If you walk on eggshells around your spouse or | | | | go of the excitement of being immersed in a sea of |
| significant other because you never know if they are | | | | constant problems. |
| going to be in a good mood or a bad mood, you | | | | You may find yourself feeling a little flat emotionally |
| might be a Drama Junkie. | | | | as you trade the rush of living on a steady diet of |
| - If you are still bailing your grown children out of | | | | high anxiety and worry, for the tranquility and |
| situations they have personally created (e.g. paying | | | | serenity of a peaceful mind. |
| off their gambling debt or credit card shopping | | | | Over time, a more peaceful existence will begin to |
| sprees) you might be a Drama Junkie. | | | | feel "normal" and I guarantee you will wonder how |
| - If you think everything that goes wrong in your | | | | you ever lived with all that drama in your life. |
| relationship or at work is somehow your own | | | | |