Codependency

Schedule

The term “codependency” is often confusing and unclear to many individuals. Although codependency has its origins in addiction, it is now understood to apply to many different situations. In Codependent No More, Melody Beattie defines a codependent person as “one who has let another person’s behavior affect him or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person’s behavior”. Codependency can exist within romantic relationships, friendships, families, caretaking or even our place of employment. If you find yourself unable to detach from an individual, you may be experiencing codependency.

Characteristics of codependent behavior include:

Low self-esteem and self-worth
Inability to set boundaries
Caretaking tendencies
Obsessions with a relationship or someone’s behavior
People-pleasing
Caregiving behaviors
Denial (either about own behavior or someone else’s)
Intimacy problems
Emotional pain and reactivity

Counseling and support groups can assist in recovery from codependency. It is never to late to detach with love and live your own life.