6 Signs You Are Addicted to Stress, According to a Psychologist | The Mel Robbins Podcast

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

October 26, 2023

Duration

1h 10m

Channel

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — I was talking sh*t about my daughter and got caught red-handed. Talk about unnecessary drama. We've all been there. And according to today’s expert, this type of conflict is causing more #stress than you think. Today, I am joined by Dr. Scott Lyons, @drscottlyons, a medical doctor, holistic psychologist, and renowned body-based trauma expert. He says there are 6 telltale signs that you’re #addicted to stress. I never considered myself to be a person who is addicted to stress until this conversation. Dr. Lyons is certified in more healing modalities than you want me to list and has even created his own body-based trauma therapy called Somatic Stress Release™, taught in over 20 countries. You and I are digging into the fascinating science, research, and psychology of stress. And more importantly, you are going to get the tools you need to remove it from your life. Dr. Lyons will explain why we keep ourselves on edge, why we find ourselves picking fights, #gossiping, zombie scrolling, and staying in relationships where #drama is present. This is a cycle you need to break. It’s time you slow down and learn:

• The shocking ways you are addicted to stress
• How to deal with drama-addicted friends and significant others
• What zombie scrolling, zoning out in front of the TV, and always being on the go say about you
• What it means when you always need to be the center of attention
• What “revving” is and why you need to stop doing it today
• The 3 ways to break free from a stress addiction

If you’ve read this far, it means you want to feel less stress. I want that for you, too. That’s why I can’t wait for you to listen and learn how to remove all the unnecessary drama from your life. Xo, Mel In this episode: 00:00 Intro 04:28 What exactly does it mean to be ‘addicted to drama’? 05:39 Here are the 9 external signs you might be addicted to drama. 10:52 What is a revving reflex? 11:21 Do you feel these two emotions when things are calm? 12:57 Mic drop: We chase our drama to avoid our traumas. 14:29 What is drama exactly? 17:46 The 3 ways drama feels good. 19:22 Dr. Scott begins to share his own vulnerable story. 20:43 Are you ‘drama bonding’? 23:50 This is why hurt people can’t let go of drama. 28:07 Do these signs feel familiar in your own life? 35:11 Examples of childhood traumas that can create drama addiction. 48:25 Do this so you don’t get involved in their drama cycle. 51:57 One surprising sign of dissociated tolerance I bet you’ll recognize. 52:51 How the heck does stress give you pain relief? — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Mel Robbins

  host

• Dr. Scott Lyons

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Dr. Scott Lyons, 6 Signs You Are Addicted to Stress, According to a Psychologist | The Mel Robbins Podcast explores how Hidden Drama Addiction Sabotages Peace, Relationships, And Well‑Being Mel Robbins interviews psychologist and mind‑body expert Dr. Scott Lyons about “addiction to drama,” a stress-based coping pattern rooted in unresolved trauma and chronic insecurity. Lyons explains that drama is less about theatrics and more about unnecessary turmoil, internal revving, and using stress to feel alive, connected, and temporarily numb to deeper pain. They unpack how this shows up both externally (outbursts, gossip, conflict) and internally (catastrophic thinking, anxiety when things are calm, constant urgency), and why stillness can feel unsafe. The conversation offers concrete ways to identify drama addiction in yourself and others, set boundaries, and begin replacing drama-driven patterns with healthier regulation and connection.

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