Victim consciousness is widespread in our society and particularly prevalent in mental disorders. Victim consciousness occurs when we blame others for our difficulties and unhappiness. Victim consciousness can also include self-blame and self-criticism, which occur frequently in psychological conditions and are forms of self-abuse and re-traumatization. More broadly defined, victim consciousness can include all self-defeating behaviors including addictions, self-injury, and suicide. Victim consciousness is the granddaddy of all ego-protective (or self-protective) defense mechanisms. The classic ego defense mechanisms—denial, projection, rationalization, etc.—are all manifestations of victim consciousness. For whom is turned into a victim when we deny our emotional reality or project it onto others? We are! (and potentially others as well).

While there are multiple reasons we engage in victim consciousness the main reason is to avoid dealing with our difficult emotions, particularly our anger and rage (and the emotions linked to these difficult emotions). Consequently, one only awakens the emotional body and grows to the extent they are willing to surrender and let go of their victim consciousness. Blaming and self-defeating behaviors are a formula for no growth. Lastly, victim consciousness should not be turned into “the enemy”—we most likely needed it at some point in our early development to survive the emotional difficulties we faced. But it must be renounced and shed.

The following module covers this important topic.