How to Stay Friends With a Drama Queen

When your friend is a drama queen, life is like a soap opera that you can't turn off. The slightest conflicts make her weep uncontrollably on your shoulder. When she's mad, she seethes rage. Then there are the 3 a.m. phone calls. But many drama queens are worth staying friends with, at least for the entertainment value.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Be her reality check. When the drama queen tells you that her math teacher hates her, her boyfriend is probably cheating on her or that her neighbors deliberately woke her up in the middle of the night, ask her for evidence of her suspicions. Use logic to poke holes in her dramatic theories.

2. Set boundaries. Drama queens are known for thinking their personal crises are more important than whatever you're going through. If she calls you and you don't feel like talking, don't answer the phone. If she shows up weeping on your doorstep during your child's birthday party, you can explain that this isn't a good time and that you hope she feels better.

3. Be a good friend when you see her being self-destructive. Drama queens impulsively throw themselves into dangerous situations--often to get attention and to thrive off the drama. Step in when you see this happening by telling her parents and/or significant other and advising her to get counseling.

4. Expect her to be a friend to you. If she wants to make a big fuss over everything in her life, that's fine--but if she tunes you out whenever you need her support, that means she's not only a drama queen but a bad friend. Tell her you need more from her if she ignores your problems, and if she doesn't step up, dump her.