What is Codependency? Codependency is a behavioral and emotional pattern characterized by excessive emotional or psychological reliance on another person, often at the expense of one’s own needs and well-being. It typically involves one person (the “caretaker” or “enabler”) prioritizing the needs, problems, or happiness of another (the “dependent” or “taker”) to an unhealthy degree, leading to imbalanced, one-sided relationships. This dynamic can occur in romantic partnerships, family ties, friendships, or even work relationships. Originally coined in the 1970s in the context of substance abuse recovery (e.g., partners of alcoholics enabling addiction), the term has broadened to describe any dysfunctional relationship where self-sacrifice becomes compulsive and self-worth is derived from… Read More
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