Characteristics of Co-dependency
This term describes a pattern of unhealthy relationships where one person excessively relies on another for emotional support, approval, or identity.
What is Co-dependency?
Co-dependency often stems from this type of early experience, where a person’s emotional needs are either unmet or they learn to prioritize the needs of others.
What is childhood experiences or early relationships?
This is one common consequence of co-dependency, where individuals feel emotionally exhausted from constant caretaking.
What is burnout?
The first step to breaking free from co-dependency is this: recognizing and accepting you may be in a co-dependent relationship.
What is awareness?
In co-dependent relationships, one person often takes on the role of this, frequently sacrificing their own needs.
What is a caretaker or enabler?
These types of family dynamics, often involving addiction, neglect, or emotional dysfunction, are common environments where co-dependency begins.
What are families with addiction or emotional dysfunction?
This emotional result can occur when a person feels unappreciated for their efforts in a co-dependent relationship.
What is resentment?
Learning to do this is essential to break free from co-dependency and protect one's emotional well-being.
What is setting boundaries?
Co-dependents often struggle with this, preventing them from asserting their own needs and allowing others to overstep personal boundaries.
What is a lack of boundaries?
This is often the behavior learned in childhood that can lead to co-dependency later in life, when a person neglects their own needs in favor of others.
What is prioritizing others' needs over one's own?
Co-dependents often lose this, as they become overly focused on others and neglect their own needs and desires.
What is self-identity?
This step involves putting yourself first and taking time to care for your own emotional and physical health.
What is self-care?
This is a common fear in co-dependency, often leading people to stay in unhealthy relationships.
What is the fear of abandonment?
Co-dependency can carry over into adult relationships from these early family issues.
What are patterns learned in childhood?
These types of relationship dynamics occur when one person’s needs are constantly unmet, and the other is stuck in a cycle of enabling.
What are unhealthy relationship dynamics?
One important way to heal from co-dependency is to engage in this type of professional support.
What is therapy?
Co-dependents often experience this emotion, which drives them to seek approval and avoid conflict, even at the expense of their own well-being.
What is people-pleasing?
This specific type of family situation is a known cause for co-dependency, where a person feels overly responsible for the emotional stability of others.
What is a family with addiction?
This is one of the worst impacts of co-dependency, where individuals become so focused on others that they neglect their own well-being.
What is emotional labor?
This group can offer support to those struggling with co-dependency and is a key element in recovery.
What is Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA)?