Signs & Symptoms
This behavior often involves putting others’ needs before your own to a harmful degree.
What is people-pleasing?
Codependency often develops in this type of dysfunctional environment.
What is a dysfunctional family?
Healthy relationships include this key communication trait
What is honesty / assertiveness?
This type of professional can help you work through codependency.
What is a therapist / counselor?
This phrase is a clear and respectful way to decline a request.
What is “No, thank you”?
A codependent person may have difficulty doing this when others disapprove.
What is saying no / setting boundaries?
Codependent behavior is commonly learned during this life stage.
What is childhood?
Unlike codependent relationships, healthy ones maintain this kind of boundary.
What are emotional boundaries?
This 12-step group is often used for recovering from codependency.
What is Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA)?
This type of boundary involves protecting your personal space
What is a physical boundary?
A strong need to control others, often out of fear or insecurity.
What is controlling behavior?
Codependency can stem from having a parent with this type of illness.
What is addiction / substance abuse?
True self-care is a sign of this, not selfishness.
What is healthy self-esteem?
This kind of boundary helps protect your emotional well-being.
What is a personal boundary?
When someone constantly crosses your boundaries, this may be necessary.
What is limiting or ending the relationship?
You feel responsible for others' emotions and actions.
What is taking on others’ problems as your own?
This psychological condition can contribute to codependency due to poor boundaries
What is low self-esteem?
In a codependent relationship, your identity may be overly tied to this.
What is the other person's needs/approval
Recovery from codependency often involves reconnecting with this.
What is your authentic self?
Practicing this helps you maintain your boundaries without over-explaining.
What is assertiveness?
This emotion often drives codependent behavior, especially when alone.
What is fear of abandonment?
Codependency can arise from a need to avoid this painful emotion.
What is rejection / shame?
Healthy relationships foster this, while codependency often inhibits it.
What is independence/autonomy?
One recovery tool is learning to do this without guilt.
What is say no?
This feeling often arises when you first start enforcing boundaries, but it fades with practice
What is guilt?