Have you ever met someone who always seems to see themselves as the one who’s been wronged - or maybe noticed that pattern in yourself? The sense that life is happening to you, not for you? It might not just be negativity - it could be a victim mentality, a learned way of seeing the world that often begins as a form of protection.

In this episode, we take a look at the psychology behind the victim mindset - why it develops, how it impacts our relationships, and what it really takes to move from powerlessness to self-trust.

We explore:

• What exactly is the victim mentality?
• How trauma, learned helplessness, and chronic fear shape this mindset
• The overlap between victimhood and covert narcissism
• Why relationships with ‘perpetual victims’ can feel draining or triggering
• How to support someone without losing yourself
• When compassion becomes enabling, and when to let go

If you’ve ever struggled to understand why some people - or even parts of yourself - stay stuck in stories of unfairness or defeat, this episode is for you.

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The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

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