Being codependent is sometimes called “relationship addiction.”
People who are codependent have one-sided, emotionally destructive, and dysfunctional relationships.
This article will go over what codependency means.
Westend61/Getty Images
Westend61/Getty Images
What Is Codependency?
Is Codependency a Mental Health Diagnosis?
In fact, codependency can have a major, negative effect on a person’s life.
This creates a one-sided relationship that is destructive and dysfunctional for both people.
When someone is enabling, they are not always doing it on purpose.
An enabler often thinks they’re doing the right thing when they attempt to avoid upsetting their partner.
Over time, the enabling partner in a codependent relationship may become frustrated, angry, and even resentful.
Codependent vs. Interdependent Relationships
Being codependent means having an unhealthy attachment to a specific person.
It’s often a romantic partner, but not always.
Any relationship where one partner is dysfunctionally dependent on the other person can be considered a codependent relationship.
A healthy dependent relationship is also known as interdependent.
All relationships require some dependence.
Dependent Personality Disorder
The symptoms of codependency can overlap with other mental health conditions, especially dependent personality disorder.
They sound similar, but they have key differences.
Dependent personality disorder is included in the DSM-5 and is considered an official mental health condition.
Codependency is not in the DSM-5 as its own disorder.
Online questionnaires often claim to show if you have any “red flags” for codependence.
These questionnaires are usually based on the symptoms listed above.
That said, the signs and symptoms of codependence can also be part of other mental health disorders.
Taking online questionnaires is not a substitute for evaluation and diagnosis by a professional.
What Causes Codepenency?
The dynamic leads family members to withhold from expressing (repressing) their emotions and ignore their own needs.
They also cannot set healthy boundaries or give support to the person who has a substance use disorder.
Can Codependency Be Treated?
Like Alcoholics Anonymous, CoDA has 12 steps, 12 traditions, 12 promises, and 12 service concepts.
In some cases, it might mean leaving the relationship.
This extends to all codependent relationships, not just romantic partnerships.
If both partners work at it, a codependent marriage can become a healthier one.
Codependency and narcissism are two different conditions.
However, people who have narcissistic traits ornarcissistic personality disorder can also have codependency.
Likewise, people with codependence may also have narcissistic traits or might be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.
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APA Dictionary of Psychology.Enabler.
Family First Intervention.How to stop being codependent: Recognizing and healing codependent relationships.
Co-Dependents Anonymous.Am I codependent?
Addiction Rehab Toronto.Codependency: what is codependency and how to stop it?
Farmer SA.Entitlement in codependency: developmental and therapeutic considerations.J Addict Dis.
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