If you’re like me, you hate drama, especially when it happens in your relationship.
If you want to prevent this from happening to you, there are some glaring red flags you should know about.
From attention-seeking to gossip, anxiety, and even sabotage, drama addicts have some creative outlets you should be aware of.
1) They have a constant need for attention
Let’s start with the obvious. Drama means interest. They gain attention and validation from their partner by creating or escalating conflicts and drama.
Exaggerating stories or playing the victim are easy ways to get your partner’s attention and sympathy.
Does this sound familiar to you?
I know some people who like to embellish details, make up events, or manipulate facts to make their stories more attractive and attention-grabbing.
Some of them even assume the role of victim to elicit sympathy and attention from their partners, who feel compelled to comfort and support them.
Unfortunately, many nights on the town were ruined by this behavior. They just ruin the experience for the entire group of people they are with.
2) They thrive in chaos
Do you know what the archenemy of drama addicts is? Calm and peaceful conditions. They can’t stand them.
They feel so uncomfortable that they provoke or incite conflicts to maintain a sense of excitement and power in their relationship.
Some people thrive in chaos because they believe that intense emotional experiences and conflicts affirm the strength or importance of their relationship.
They interpret the presence of drama as evidence of an emotional and meaningful relationship, even if it is ultimately unhealthy or unsustainable.
Basically, they equate drama with emotion.
Others feel a sense of power, dominance, or control over their partner’s feelings, actions, or decisions.
Whatever the underlying reason, chaos is harmful and stressful for both parties.
3) They are incredibly jealous
We’ve come this far without talking about jealousy. I think some dose of healthy jealousy is acceptable in healthy relationships. It can be fun too.
On the other hand, excessive jealousy is a big no-no. In their relationships, drama addicts often display extreme jealousy, even in situations where there is no good reason to be suspicious or insecure.
They also use it as a tool to create drama and maintain control of the relationship.
They like to create drama by accusing their partner of cheating, flirting with others, or not giving them enough attention. All in an attempt to ensure that the partner’s focus remains on them.
I find this kind of behavior simply disgusting.
4) They create drama out of nothing
Creating drama out of nothing is another specialty of drama addicts. They can blow minor issues out of proportion or interpret innocent actions or words as intentional slights or slights, leading to unnecessary drama.
I would say they are starting to act like typical Karens.
But not only that. Individuals who create drama are also dangerous snowflakes. They have increased sensitivity to criticism.
They interpret neutral or constructive reactions as personal attacks, leading to defensive reactions and escalation of minor issues into full-blown conflicts.
I mean, there are countless videos of this happening, and I have to say it makes my blood boil.
5) They are in an emotional state of flux
Emotional ups and downs in a relationship are characterized by frequent and extreme emotional ups and downs, leading to extreme highs and lows.
There’s no middle ground because obviously that’s quiet for drama queens, as I mentioned above.
There are many high-profile relationships that come to mind when thinking about emotional rollercoasters.
They involved a great degree of drama, intense emotional experiences, and, at times, turbulent endings.
Older people will remember that Elizabeth Taylor was married to Richard Burton twice, and their relationship was known for its explosive nature.
Somewhat older people will also remember Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. These rock stars had a wild relationship, marked by drug use and public scandals. We all know how that ended.
There are also Amy Winehouse, Blake Fielder-Civil, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Tina, Ike Turner and many others like them.
6) They feel uncomfortable or anxious
Drama addicts find it difficult to accept stability and routine in their relationships. For this reason, they are constantly looking for change or new sources of excitement, which can contribute to a constant cycle of drama.
They simply feel uncomfortable or anxious when their relationship is calm and stable, which prompts them to actively disrupt peace and create drama to restore a sense of familiarity.
Fear of boredom, intimacy, vulnerability, and self-sabotaging patterns, as well as the need for control and power, can all be potential underlying factors for creating drama in periods of peace.
Of course, the problem is much deeper than that, and one of the best solutions is to get professional help or advice who can provide insights.
7) They gossip a lot
When someone frequently chats about their relationship problems or involves others in drama, it has different underlying motivations and consequences.
For example, they seek validation and sympathy from friends and family.
By offering their side of the story to others, they seek reassurance that they are not solely responsible for problems in the relationship, which alleviates the need to take personal accountability.
This behavior can also unintentionally escalate conflicts. By seeking validation or sympathy from others, they often receive advice or encouragement to confront their partner or take actions that further contribute to the drama and exacerbate existing problems.
Not to mention, constantly involving others in relationship drama is a violation of privacy and trust within the relationship.
Additionally, sharing intimate details with friends or family members violates the trust and confidentiality expected in a partnership, further damaging trust and intimacy between partners.
