Kiran Athar
Dramatic people might be fun to watch from a distance (and they certainly make for great reality TV entertainment), but in reality, dealing with them on a daily basis can be draining.
They thrive off attention, theatrics, and causing unnecessary conflict.
So, without further ado, here are 10 behaviors that signal you’re dealing with a drama queen or king:
1) Exaggerating emotions and reactions
One of the first behaviors that show you’re dealing with a drama llama is if EVERYTHING is a big deal.
You know the type…they lose their keys, everyone in the office has to hear about it.
They watch a funny video, and rather than chuckle to themselves, they scream with delight (usually on a packed train full of tired commuters).
These drama queens and kings exaggerate their emotions and reactions, usually to gain attention. But what they don’t realize?
It’s not good attention! And if anything, it can make them seem a little “over the top”, immature, and difficult to be around.
2) Always playing the victim
And continuing from the previous point – those with a flair for drama tend to enjoy playing the victim role.
Whilst most of us accept that life isn’t fair, our theatrical friends and colleagues tend to take things way too personally.
But here’s the thing – they seem to enjoy it too.
In fact, if you try to talk a drama queen or king out of feeling like a victim, you’ll see the excitement fade from their eyes as they realize no one else is buying into their bullsh*t!
That’s because drama loves attention, but it loves sympathy even more!
3) Constantly seeking attention
Now, we’ve mentioned this behavior a few times already…Dramatic people thrive off attention.
They’re usually the ones who are:
- Hogging all the attention at parties
- Fishing for compliments all the time
- Accusing people of ignoring/being mean to them
- Exaggerating or embellishing stories
And it doesn’t end there! Things like interrupting people’s conversations, talking loudly, or even creating a scene aren’t uncommon.
The bottom line is, drama queens and kings LOVE having all eyes on them, and they’ll go to extreme lengths to keep it that way!
4) Gossiping and spreading rumors
Another behavior that drama lovers tend to display is gossiping about others and spreading false information.
Sure, most of us are prone to indulging in a bit of gossip here and there, but real drama queens and kings treat it like a full-time job.
So, why do they enjoy it so much?
Well, it’s a guaranteed source of entertainment and of course, attention!
They’re not considering the feelings of those around them, as long as they get their moment in the spotlight and a bit of fun out of it, that’s all that matters.
5) Obsessed with social media
And the easiest place to gossip and gain attention is social media.
Now drama llamas aren’t constricted to just their social circles….they’ve got the entire world at their fingertips!
So, if you meet someone with an intense obsession with social media, who always posts about themselves, and is over-the-top in every video, you know what type of person you’re dealing with!
And last but not least, the online world is ideal for stirring the pot and causing trouble.
As we’ve already mentioned, there’s nothing a dramatic person loves more!
6) Overreacting to criticism
If someone overreacts to every little bit of criticism that comes their way, it could be a sign they’re a drama queen or king.
Even if it’s something constructive that’ll help them perform better at work or do better in their relationships, they’re likely to react defensively or with hostility.
The reality is, they can’t handle the truth, especially when it’s about them!
One of the reasons for this could be that their dramaticness stems from insecurity.
So, when someone approaches with criticism or constructive feedback, they see these comments as a threat to their self-image.
That can lead them to do the following:
7) Making mountains out of molehills
What should have been a calm, rational conversation suddenly turns into a massive conflict, dishes go flying and people leave in tears.
Sound familiar?
If so, it’s highly likely that this came from a dramatic person who didn’t get their way.
They are notorious for making issues bigger than they need to be. Whether it’s to get attention, or simply cause chaos and drama, we’ll never know.
But one thing it does show?
Drama queens and kings can be hard work! Communication isn’t easy and this type of behavior can make people hesitant to be open and honest.
8) Always in conflict with others
Another behavior that shows you’re dealing with a drama diva is if they’re constantly fighting with others.
As adults, this isn’t normal behavior. Yes, conflict happens, and it’s unavoidable sometimes.
But if someone seems to be falling out with their loved ones on a regular basis, it’s a sign that they may lack emotional maturity and communication skills, and most likely have a flair for drama.
With that being said, if you ever confronted them on this, they’ll play the victim just as we discussed before!
9) Manipulative behavior
Manipulation and drama go hand in hand.
And drama queens and kings know how to work people to keep themselves in the line of attention. They’ll:
- Lie
- Guilt trip
- Emotionally blackmail
- Use passive-aggressive behavior to suit their needs.
You see, we’re not talking about the everyday person who might enjoy being a tad dramatic from time to time.
No, we’re talking about the REAL drama queens and kings of society. The ones who go the full mile.
Be wary of them – they can do real damage especially if they’re expert manipulators!
10) Lack of empathy
And finally, a lack of empathy is a major indicator of a drama lover.
Quite simply for the fact that they don’t care who they hurt – as long as they get the attention they seek and crave.
That’s why they:
- Play the victim (even if they’re the perpetrator)
- Stir the pot between people to cause conflict
- Gossip and spread rumors
If they had empathy, they’d think twice before doing these things.
So, has this article made you sit up and realize who the drama queens and kings of your life are?
If so, go forward with caution! Boundaries will be your best friend when dealing with people like this. And ultimately, if the drama gets too much, never be afraid to walk away!
