Codependency: The Helping Problem

Codependency is a behavior, not a biological illness. It can, however, run in families. By perpetuating the same type of behavior through several generations, dysfunctional relationships can emerge. Codependency can often stem from taking care of a close friend or family member with a substance abuse or chronic mental health issue. While the impulse to take care of another may be a virtuous and helpful decision, it may also arise from a need to control. Codependency, or as some call it, “relationship addiction”, occurs when the care-taker needs to control his or her own anxiety through another person. There is usually one person who needs to be taken care of and another who needs to provide. One example of codependency is the act of enabling. If an addict who has clearly been using drugs asks the codependent person for rent money, the codependent may feel like they are preventing something awful from happening to the addict by giving him or her the needed money. Although the care-taking may feel helpful, it is actually serving the codependent person more than the addict. By making excuses for the addict or preventing the addict from consequences, the codependent person feels in control of the situation. Codependency creates problems such as: a lack of personal time, feeling overburdened, and stress. It also has hidden benefits. The codependent in an unhealthy relationship may feel that they are: The healthier partner Important Needed In control Hard working Virtuous ...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Abuse Addictions Codependence Narcissism Relationships & Love Self-Esteem Stress Caretaking Codependency Couples Dating love addiction Relationship Addiction Source Type: news