CODEPENDENCY PART 2

• August 19, 2022
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Codependency Part II

Codependency is also known as relationship “addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive.

Codependency can come in all shapes and sizes and varying levels of severity. “Codepency is due to poor concept of self and poor boundaries. There are two general roles involved in a codependent relationship: the caregiver, and the person who needs care.

If you find yourself making lots of sacrifices giving up your own needs and identity for your partner’s happiness, but not getting much in return? You are in a one-sided pattern even if dont feel trapped.

Enmeshed Sense of Self

A person who’s codependent will likely feel like their personality depends on the other person. You may not feel like you know what you really like or who you really are. Instead, your focus is only on things the other person likes or dislikes.

Self-Doubt

Spending long enough supporting or relying on one person can wear down your sense of self. You may doubt your decisions and feel the need to have someone else make choices for you. You also may feel like your own preferences aren’t important enough to consider.

Resentment

After a while in a codependent relationship, you may start to resent the other person. More importantly, you’ll resent them while feeling like you can’t live without them or like they can’t live without you. This is the biggest sign that your relationship is unhealthy and potentially codependent.

Dealing With a Codependent Relationship

The first thing to consider is whether this is a relationship you want to try to continue. If it’s not a safe relationship for you, you may need help to leave. If the relationship is one that’s safe for you to be in, removing codependency from a relationship usually requires one or both people involved to realize what’s going on. If you or a loved one is codependent, it’s important for the codependent person to prioritize themselves. This can help build self-esteem and also help them separate their sense of self from the other person. It’s also important for their partner to take good care of themselves.

You can also consider attending therapy. In many cases, personal or relationship therapy can help people in codependent relationships understand what parts of their relationship are causing them pain. In the long run, this can help some codependent relationships become healthier for everyone involved.

Signs of Codependency By WebMD Editorial Contributors

 Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on November 23, 2020