Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images
Codependency is often referred to as relationship addiction.
Signs of Codependency
Individuals who are codependent have good intentions.
They want to care for a family member who is struggling.
Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images
But their efforts become compulsive and unhealthy.
Some signs of codependency include:
For some individuals, codependent relationships become commonplace.
They seek out friendships or romantic relationships where they are encouraged to act like martyrs.
Codependency can come in many forms.
Its often passed down from one generation to the next.
So a child who grew up watching a parent in a codependent relationship may repeat the pattern.
Underlying issues that contribute to the dysfunction may involve:
Problems within the family are never confronted.
Codependent individuals dont bring up the fact that issues exist.
All of the attention and energy goes toward the individual who is abusive, ill, or addicted.
The codependent individual usually sacrifices all of their own needs to care for the family member who is struggling.
Individuals in the helping professions are also more likely to be in codependent relationships.
Its estimated that one-third of nurses have moderate to severe levels of codependency.
Identifying these patterns is an important step in learning how to stop being codependent.
How to Stop Being Codependent
Some individuals are able to overcome codependency on their own.
Getting Help
Codependency often requires professional treatment, however.
It can be treated with talk therapy.
Group Therapy
There are several different group interventions that may be effective for codependency.
The group dynamic gives individuals an opportunity to form healthier relationships in an appropriate space.
Group therapy often involves giving positive feedback and holding individuals accountable.
Group therapy methods may vary.
Some involve cognitive behavioral therapy, where members learn specific skill-building strategies.
Other codependency groups follow the 12-step model.
Similar to the way other 12-step groups are run, individuals learn about their relationship addiction.
Goals may include increasingself-awareness, self-esteem, and the expression of feelings.
Family Therapy
Family therapy targets the dysfunctional family dynamics.
Family members learn how to recognize their dysfunctional patterns so they can learn how to improve their relationships.
Improved communication is often a key goal of family therapy.
Issues that have never before been discussed in the family may be raised in therapy.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapycan target the thoughts that contribute to unhealthy relationship patterns.
Therapy sessions might focus on learning how to tolerate uncomfortable emotions and changing irrational thoughts.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Ancel G, Kabakci E.Psychometric properties of the Turkish form of Codependency Assessment Tool.Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.
2009;23(6):441-453. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2008.10.004.
Yates JG, Mcdaniel JL.Are you losing yourself in codependency?The American Journal of Nursing.
1994;94(4):32. doi:10.2307/3464716.
