The victimization mentality

Victimization mentality is a pattern of thinking and behavior in which a person consistently perceives himself or herself as a victim of circumstances, the actions of others, or bad luck, feeling that he or she has little or no control over what happens to him or her.

This posture, while it may offer certain secondary "advantages" in the short term, is detrimental to well-being and personal growth in the long term.

Disclaimer of Liability

One of the central characteristics of victimhood is the externalization of responsibility.

The person who adopts this role usually blames the environment - his or her partner, family, the government, the company - for his or her unhappiness, poor economic situation or emotional problems.

By handing over the power of your actions and results to others, you relieve yourself of responsibility for your own life.

If a person feels that he or she has followed all the "rules" or social expectations ("I did what I was supposed to do") and still has not obtained the desired results, he or she may conclude that the fault lies with those who gave him or her those guidelines or with an unfair system.

This reasoning avoids self-reflection on one's own choices and actions.

Secondary "Advantages

Although it may seem contradictory, being a "victim" can have certain secondary gains.

These may include receiving attention, sympathy or comfort from others, having an excuse for not trying hard or not making difficult decisions, and avoiding responsibility for one's own failures or inaction. The victim expects others to solve his or her problems.

Reactive Language and Self-Deception

The victim mentality is reflected in reactive language, where expressions imply a lack of control and mental programming full of distortions.

For example, instead of taking responsibility for an action ("I drank too much"), someone else is blamed