Codependency often has you funneling your energy into supporting the people in your life without making space for — or even considering — what you need for yourself.
In other words, when you consistently elevate the needs of others above your own, you may be behaving in codependent ways.
Recognizing key signs of codependency in your behavior is an important first step toward building healthy boundaries and honoring your own needs.
The more you focus on providing the support you believe others need, the more heavily they may begin to lean on you. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to disentangle yourself.
Codependency can eventually:
lead to a disconnect from your own needs and desires
promote unhealthy relationship dynamics
affect self-worth and overall well-being
By this original definition, “codependent” might describe loved ones who “enabled” alcohol use by:
making excuses
hiding the alcohol use
protecting the person from any fallout or consequences of their actions
However, today experts agree that codependency has a more nuanced and complex meaning — and can show up in many situations, not just ones involving substance use.
“Codependency refers to any enmeshed relationship in which one person loses their sense of independence and believes they need to tend to someone else.
In other words, when you consistently elevate the needs of others above your own, you may be behaving in codependent ways.
Recognizing key signs of codependency in your behavior is an important first step toward building healthy boundaries and honoring your own needs.
The more you focus on providing the support you believe others need, the more heavily they may begin to lean on you. Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to disentangle yourself.
Codependency can eventually:
lead to a disconnect from your own needs and desires
promote unhealthy relationship dynamics
affect self-worth and overall well-being
By this original definition, “codependent” might describe loved ones who “enabled” alcohol use by:
making excuses
hiding the alcohol use
protecting the person from any fallout or consequences of their actions
However, today experts agree that codependency has a more nuanced and complex meaning — and can show up in many situations, not just ones involving substance use.
“Codependency refers to any enmeshed relationship in which one person loses their sense of independence and believes they need to tend to someone else.