{"id":30175,"date":"2015-12-30T06:00:09","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T14:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=30175"},"modified":"2019-12-16T10:54:49","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T18:54:49","slug":"8-signs-youre-in-a-codependent-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/8-signs-youre-in-a-codependent-relationship-1230154","title":{"rendered":"8 Signs You\u2019re in a Codependent Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Woman<\/a>Have you ever been in a relationship<\/a> that felt as though it sapped all of your energy? If so, you may have been in a codependent relationship. Codependency is generally defined as a type of relationship in which one person supports the other in an unhealthy behavior of some kind. This could be enabling someone\u00a0to maintain an addiction, to not take responsibility for his or her actions, or to become overly reliant on you.<\/p>\n

Codependency<\/a> is often learned in a dysfunctional family<\/a> environment. There are generally underlying issues that have been ignored or minimized, such as an addiction<\/a>, physical<\/a> or sexual abuse<\/a>, or a family member struggling with a chronic mental health condition. Frequently, the person in the caretaking role disregards\u00a0personal\u00a0needs and focuses on providing for the other financially, emotionally, and\/or physically. The person being taken care of comes to depend on the caretaker\u2019s help in order to enable him or her to maintain life choices. Feelings in this type of family or relationship are generally repressed<\/a>, and problems tend to go unacknowledged.<\/p>\n

Some of the signs that indicate you might be in a codependent relationship include:<\/p>\n

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  1. Recognizing the harmful behaviors that your partner or loved one is engaging in, but providing for that person\u00a0in such a way that he\/she is not having to suffer consequences.<\/li>\n
  2. Remaining in an unhealthy relationship despite the emotional and psychological toll to your own health.<\/li>\n
  3. Feeling unappreciated, angry<\/a>, and resentful<\/a>, but also afraid of retaliation if you stop \u201crescuing\u201d or taking care of the other individual.<\/li>\n
  4. Difficulties with setting appropriate limits or boundaries in the relationship.<\/li>\n
  5. Putting the needs of others before your own.<\/li>\n
  6. Being overly protective and taking on all responsibility for your partner or loved one.<\/li>\n
  7. Minimizing or denying the\u00a0problem.<\/li>\n
  8. Having poor communication skills, especially regarding the problem and\/or your emotions<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Although the caretaker in the codependent relationship usually has good intentions and generally acts out of a sincere desire to help\u00a0a\u00a0partner or loved one, the situation typically ends up backfiring. Over time, the caretaker\u00a0an start to feel unacknowledged and taken for granted. By constantly protecting the loved one from the consequences of his or her actions, the relied-upon\u00a0partner actually helps to foster even more of the destructive behaviors. This, in turn, prevents the loved one from experiencing\u00a0important life lessons and learning to\u00a0take responsibility.<\/p>\n

    So how can you stop the unhealthy dynamics of a codependent relationship? A few methods include:<\/p>\n