Melissa Killeen
Codependent was a term used to describe the partner or spouse of an addict. The reasoning was a person had to be codependent to tolerate the destructive behaviors and actions of an addict in a relationship. But this definition has changed.
What is codependency?
Codependency is known as a “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive. The disorder was first identified over twenty years ago as the result of years of studying interpersonal relationships in families of alcoholics. Codependent relationships are a type of dysfunctional helping relationship where one person supports or enables another person’s addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement.
When someone is codependent they tend to spend the majority of their effort in their relationship, monitoring, controlling and attempting to enhance the feelings of someone they love. If a person is in a codependent relationship, there exists an imbalance that is both unhealthy, and ultimately destructive to the codependent whose self esteem, needs and self worth are sacrificed for that of the other person’s. A codependent relationship can be with a child, a parent, spouse or even with a non-addict.
Listen to Melissa's 