Codependency
What is Codependency?
Codependency is defined when someone becomes so preoccupied with someone else that they neglect themselves. In a way, it is the belief that something outside of themselves can give them happiness and fulfillment. The payoff in focusing on someone else is a decrease in painful feelings and anxiety.
Codependency is when people operate as if they are okay only if they please the people around them.
- Often codependent people appear gentle and helpful. However, in this situation, two different things may be going on:
They may be struggling with a strong need to control and manipulate those around them into giving tem the approval they need to feel okay. - They minimize their emotions until they hardly experience any emotion at all. No fear, pain, anger, shame, joy, or pleasure. They just exist from one day to the next.