Addicted to Drama: Healing Dependency on Crisis & Chaos in Yourself and Others

Clinical psychologist Lyons explores drama addiction and how readers can heal from it in this illuminating debut. Rather than being a mere desire for attention, drama addiction, Lyons writes, is a way of “seeking crisis” to “validate an unidentifiable... [internal] discomfort” that can cause sufferers stress and rob them of life’s “subtle, deeper, and richer” moments. Lyons first outlines key features of drama addiction, including intense, urgent feelings; anxiety paradoxically triggered by attempts to relax; and a tendency toward oversensitivity. Physically, drama addiction can also trigger an elevated stress response, since one is attuned to dangers that aren’t actually present. For treatment, Lyons recommends analyzing damaging behavioral patterns, identifying unmet emotional needs, and seeking stable relationships. Those afflicted might experience a sense of emptiness once they start letting go of a drama-centered identity, he explains, but it’s all a part of recovering. Finally, the author offers such practices as targeted meditations and prompts (“Where does lack of confidence show up in your life?”) to help readers work through emotional struggles. The plan is underlaid with thorough psychological insight but remains eminently accessible, bolstered by relatable anecdotes and actionable advice. Readers will find this a thoughtful, practical entry. (May.)