karpman drama triangle

The Karpman drama triangle is a model developed by psychiatrist Stephen Karpman that describes three dysfunctional roles people often slip into during conflict: Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. In the triangle, the Victim feels powerless and wronged, the Persecutor blames and attacks, and the Rescuer steps in to fix or save—often without being asked. These roles can rotate quickly, even within a single conversation.

The triangle is common in families with unresolved trauma, where people learn to relate through drama rather than direct communication. Healing work involves recognizing when you're stepping onto the triangle, choosing more grounded roles (such as Creator, Challenger, and Coach from the "empowerment dynamic"), and building relationships where needs, limits, and care can be expressed without performance.