In some sense, do we all participate in the triangle?

Yes, in various situations and to varying degrees. These are normal human patterns — helping, complaining, criticizing. The problem is when the roles are rigid, automatic, and the person cannot exit them, or when the triangle becomes the primary form of interaction in a relationship. Awareness is the first step toward change.

In the triangle, which role does a narcissist usually play?

A narcissist moves fluidly between roles. Classically: starts as Rescuer (winning someone over) → shifts to Persecutor (control, criticism) → when threatened, becomes Victim ("you don't appreciate me," "after everything..."). The partner trying to "fix" the situation enters the Rescuer role and finds themselves inside the triangle.

The Karpman Drama Triangle: How We Get Stuck in Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor Roles

The Karpman drama triangle is a model of toxic interactions where roles constantly shift. How to exit this cycle and build mature relationships.

🌿psybot.app·June 19, 2026·1 min read

You try to help — and suddenly find yourself blamed. The victim becomes the aggressor. The aggressor becomes the victim. This rotating cast of roles is the Karpman drama triangle.

1. The Three Roles

Victim: "I'm helpless, this always happens to me, no one helps." Not necessarily someone who has actually been harmed — it is a role that provides relief from responsibility.

Rescuer: "I'll help, I know what to do." Gains a sense of being needed, but often acts from their own needs rather than the victim's actual ones.

Persecutor: "It's your own fault." Criticizes, controls, blames.

2. How the Roles Rotate

The cycle: Rescuer helps Victim — Victim feels guilty or attacks — Rescuer feels hurt and shifts to Persecutor — Persecutor applies pressure — Victim is the Victim again. And again.

3. How to Exit

Alternative roles: instead of Victim — Survivor (agency, responsibility). Instead of Rescuer — Coach (asks "what do you need?" rather than deciding for others). Instead of Persecutor — Authentic critic (speaks directly, with respect).

Talk to our AI psychologist psybot.app. Read also: Codependency and Narcissism.

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