A question to consider,”Has Drama Replaced Living One Piece at a Time with Depression?”
In many families where ongoing conflict persists, a heightened tolerance for emotional pain ensues. Denial then, rather than resolution, becomes the goal to avoid the pain.
In the process, the individual becomes addicted to the ensuing drama. Drama then unknowingly becomes the way in which the individual feels alive.
In the process, denial and drama replace living with depression one piece at a time.
To watch the Slideshow, click on > (Play) button in the bottom left corner of the Slideshow
Factors to Consider
Family System Roles
Overtime each of the members of the family unknowingly, to manage the pain, assume different roles in an attempt to mask the pain or secret.
Among the roles given to or assumed by individuals within the family system
Enabler, Scapegoat, Hero, Lost Child, Mascot
Repression, shame, and blame then become the tools that are used to perpetuate the need to deny what exists.
Unknowingly, each family member — through the role that they are given or assume – absorbs the unresolved pain, conflict or secret.
Denial then acts as a “buffer” that keeps the family system intact.
Denial Perpetuates Drama
Denial perpetuates the drama that contains the conflict. Each member within the family system unconsciously denies their authentic self to avoid conflict.
Maintaining the role becomes more important than becoming a separate and autonomous individual.
The Role Becomes the Individuals Identity
For many years, I stayed in my role as a scapegoat because I believed that I was responsible for people, places, and things. By focusing on the drama, my ability to individuate atrophied.
My time and energy were devoted to managing the conflict.
Looking for Solutions
Rather than focusing on solutions, I was duped into believing that the drama would somehow save me. It was only after I experienced an emotional bottom that I became willing to look for solutions. Through this process, I came to understand that the role I had been living did not represent God’s will for me.
The answers to my questions came from my pain and my willingness, to be honest with myself.
Through my recovery process, I discovered why I felt comfortable in the role that I sought to justify on a daily basis.
Over time, I was able to identify behaviors that shackled me to that role.
With my awareness, I was able to:
Stop saying, “I am sorry” for everything under the sun. With my change of behavior, I slowly was able to make the decision to allow people the freedom to take responsibility for their own irritability, restlessness, and discontent. I also decided to give people the dignity to be responsible for how they chose to react to things that were/are out of my control. In the process, I found myself breaking free from the yoke that once controlled my world. In the process, I discovered that I no longer needed to identify myself with the role that I unknowingly sought to identify with and defend through drama for many years.
In the process, I discovered that I could break free from the denial system that sought to keep me in a role — in a family system role – through drama, in an attempt to contain unresolved conflict and pain in each member within the family system.
In the process, I discovered that by changing my behavior, I was able to break free from the drama and family system role. I discovered that I could stop acting out the role and subsequent drama in each of my relationships – beyond the nuclear family. I discovered that by breaking free from the role, the drama and my denial, I was able to start living life on life’s terms.
I discovered that by breaking free from the role, the drama and my denial, I was able to start trusting the process, a loving God and myself.
I discovered that by breaking free, from the denial contained within the drama, my role, and the way in which I interacted with in the family system; I was able to begin to create hope in my life.
Today’s Thought
In the event that I find myself slipping back into the role, drama, denial and the way that I relate to the family system, I now realize that I can make changes.
In the event that I find myself buying back into the illusion that I can control the drama, I can choose to remember that I can get off of the merry-go-round called denial at any time.
Through my awareness, I realize that I no longer have to fight the drama. Instead, I can step back from and detach myself from the drama. By detaching from the drama, I am able to use the energy – that I previously used to maintain the role, the drama, and the denial system – to empower my gifts, talents, and abilities, in ways that work for me.
By doing so, I replace living for drama. By doing so, I create hope in my life.
In the event that you find that drama has replaced living with depression, I would encourage you to do an inventory of why drama may be defining your life.
And then do something different and get busy.
In the event that you have any questions, please ask. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. I didn’t. Leave a comment and I will respond.
“Some of us have become so addicted to pointing fingers at others for all the wrong that happens in our lives that self-assessment has become synonymous with blaming the victim.” LZ Granderson
Note: For more information on Family System Roles, please read Virginia Satir’s book: Conjoint Family Therapy
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 -2017.
Leave a Reply