What Is Codependency?
A complex emotional and behavioral condition known as codependency affects a person’s capacity to maintain a loving and mutually satisfying relationship. Numerous relationships, such as those between parents and kids, siblings, friends, significant others, or coworkers, can be impacted by codependency. It is not unusual for the dependent person to also have an addiction or a long-term mental illness.
Relationships created by codependency are frequently described as abusive, biased, or mentally damaging. The professionals at Open Arms Life Center have the tools you need to get help if you think you or someone you care about is in a codependent relationship.
What Causes Codependency?
After years of researching the interpersonal interactions of those with alcoholism, codependency was first recognized. Codependency is a learned behavior that typically appears during childhood and can be brought on by growing up in a dysfunctional family or by observing and modeling codependent family members.
Codependent personalities were initially only used to describe an addict’s partners, family members, or friends. The phrase is now used to describe any codependent person who comes from a dysfunctional family. A family is said to be dysfunctional if its members experience pain, anger, fear, or shame that is suppressed or ignored because of underlying problems. These issues may result from a parent who is abusive, has a mental or physical illness, or from a family member who is mentally or physically ill.
These problems are not discussed or confronted in families with dysfunction. As a result, needs are ignored and emotions are suppressed. Codependent patients frequently think their needs are unimportant or that they are to blame for the problems in the family. The codependent person then turns their focus to providing for the addicted or ill person. These relationship dynamics are frequently carried over into adulthood, which can lead to partnerships that repeatedly evoke frightful, unsatisfying, and perplexing emotions.
Signs of Codependency
The following are examples of codependent behavior symptoms and signs:
- Weak interpersonal boundaries
- A low sense of self
- Caretaking
- Compulsions
- A desire for authority
- Decision-making challenges
- Difficulty expressing or identifying ideas, emotions, or needs
- Persistent rage or intense emotional responses
- A strong desire for acknowledgment or approval
- Ignoring issues
- Stress or worry about being abandoned, judged, or rejected
- Problems with intimacy or relationships
- Lying
Screenings and Diagnosis for Codependency
There is currently no official screening or diagnosis for codependency because many of the symptoms overlap with other mental illnesses. Consult your doctor if you believe you or a loved one is dealing with codependency.
After an initial evaluation, your doctor may make a diagnosis or refer you to a mental health professional who can perform additional testing, diagnosis and treat codependency, and rule out other mental illnesses.
Codependent Behavior Treatments
Psychotherapy is the most effective codependency treatment. All parties in a codependent relationship can benefit from therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy that place emphasis on recognizing behaviors and altering responses.
If the codependent uses substances, sobriety is required. For those who struggle with codependency and engage in enabling behaviors, this can be challenging because they may feel rewarded for assisting the addict in obtaining drugs or alcohol.
Recognizing your codependency is the first step to recovery. There is codependence. You can rely on the compassionate and caring staff at Open Arms Life Center for every step of your recovery.
Self-harming habits are frequently kept a secret. Wearing clothing, they cover their bodies and possibly act socially reclusive. Self-harm urges are common, but many people are able to overcome them with treatment.
Self-harm is frequently a symptom of other issues that require attention. If you are hurting yourself or thinking about harming yourself, ask for assistance. The first step to a successful treatment is talking to a doctor or someone you can trust.
Open Arms Life Center is a pioneer in offering compassionate, empathetic mental health care. Our expert staff assists patients and their families in finding relief when they are experiencing severe emotional or physical pain. Doctors, nurses, clinical care managers, and behavioral health technicians make up our mental health care team. The treatment program for each patient is tailored to meet their individual needs. Call the Open Arms Appointment Line at 480-454-4939 to begin your recovery.
If you or a loved one is self-harming or appears to be in extreme emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988. Every day of the year, behavior health specialists at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are available to help you.
Let us know about your psychiatric-related inquiries. Please send us a message to get started.