For me, I think being a victim keeps me from having to face the hard work of confronting and working something through. If I'm a victim, it's not my "fault" so I can't do anything about it and have no responsibility.

However, after reading this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Napkin-Notes...dp/0960255206/ I find it almost "impossible" to maintain a victim mentality. I think one can be a victim either consciously or unconsciously but I think there is always something largely unconscious about it as can be seen by the vehemence some people use to "protect" that status. People shouting about their "rights" or maintaining their victimhood instead of trying to work with it and get "past" them (which is very engrossing so one doesn't have as much "time"/energy for the surface "Hear me, I'm a victim" speeches) methinks protest too much?