Sorry, don’t mean to be dramatic but while we often think codependency isn’t a big deal, it can turn into something very dysfunctional with time. Often we don’t even know we’ve become codependent so let’s back up and start with the basics.
But, first, what exactly is codependency?
Codependency is a form of relationship dysfunction. In a nutshell, it’s when you love someone so much you will do anything to please or fix them. It takes two to tango in this dangerous dance in which one person (a giver) tries desperately to meet every unreasonable demand of another person (a taker). The taker manipulates every situation to gain and maintain control and relies on the giver to meet every emotional and self esteem need. But wait, it’s not that simple.
The codependent giver can also be a perfectionist, a person who needs to be in control. The codependent may be a manipulator, and there is more to it than just the emotional. The taker may also use the giver to fulfill many other needs, like household tasks, financial burdens, legal issues, in fact, whatever problems come up. No one is healthy in this kind of relationship. It’s not a one person being the bad guy and one person being the good guy; both partners have problems.
The term codependency has been around for a long time. It has been used to describe relationships in families with substance or alcohol use disorder (addiction). Addiction is a family disease, and codependency enables irresponsible, unhealthy, and dangerous behaviors. But codependency is also an invitation to relationship predators, like narcissists, emotional abusers and those who thrive on passive aggression. This can happen with family members, lovers, spouses and children. We don’t think about codependency only in terms of addiction anymore. There is plenty of dysfunction in other kinds of personality, or character, disorders outside of the addiction dynamic.
Do you expend all of your energy in meeting your partner’s needs? Do you feel trapped in your relationship? Are you the one that is constantly making sacrifices in your relationship? Do you feel heartbroken when your loved one is in trouble? Do you do everything in your power to fix it, make him/her happy. Does he or she treat you badly and blame you for problems? Do you think about this person every minute of every day?
Different kinds of people behave in a codependent manner, and codependence manifests in varying degrees of severity. Not all codependents are unhappy, while others live in pain or quiet desperation. You get your codependency from family roles, from family expectations, and often from family trauma or emotional abuse. It’s not something you decide to stop or can heal from easily because codependency is part of you. It’s in the air you breathe, but you can learn to change your feelings and build the boundaries you need to be independent and emotionally free.
You can get help from professionals, like social workers and therapists. Learning about codependency will help you understand. Attending a 12 Step meeting for codependents, such as Codependents Anonymous, called CoDA, or Al-Anon for family members of alcoholics will show that you’re not alone. There are other 12 Step groups for relatives of other addicts, such as for relatives of gamblers, narcotic addicts, and sex addicts.
You’ll recognize some of these traits, but maybe not all over them. People who are independent don’t worry about their loved ones every second of every day. They feel to talk about their feelings, desires, and ambitions without fear. If there is a problem, independent people can let go of responsibility and allow their loved ones sort things out on their own. They have boundaries and don’t jump to defend themselves.
Codependency is a wrecker of boundaries, independence. If you suffer from codependency, you will have some of the symptoms listed below.
This is quite a collection of symptoms. Not all people who have painful emotions or obsessions are codependent. This is just a list to think about. If you have some of these symptoms they don’t go away by themselves, but don’t beat yourself up. You are not alone, and you can get better.
Copyright © 2023 Reach Out Recovery Services LLC | Terms and Conitions |. Site by Quadshot Digital