Codependency 101

Codependency 101

Within the mental health world, codependency is a theory that attempts to explain imbalanced relationships where one person or both individuals enable each other’s person’s self-destructive behavior’s, such as addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement. Definitions of codependency vary, but typically include high self-sacrifice, a focus on others’ needs, suppression of one’s own emotions, and attempts to control or fix other people’s problems. Some individuals who struggle with codependency characteristics on average exhibit low self-esteem, but it is unclear whether this is a cause or an effect of characteristics associated with codependency. Codependency is not limited to married partnered, or romantic relationships, as co-workers, friends, and family members can be codependent as well.

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