Oh boy... I know this is a tough one.
What does Co-dependency actually look like?
These are 20 signs of Co-dependency...
Do you have...
Depression?
Anxiety?
Stress?
Low self-esteem?
Low levels of narcissism?
Familial dysfunction?
Low emotional expressivity?
These are some of the things (Marks et al., 2012) found to correlate with codependency.
According to Lancer, 2016; Mental Health America other signs of Co-dependency may also include:
Having poor boundaries;
Having a hard time saying no;
Having trouble communicating honestly;
Showing emotional reactivity;
Having a need for control, especially over others;
Feeling compelled to take care of people;
Feeling a need to be liked by everyone;
Feeling a need to always be in a relationship;
Fixating on mistakes;
Denying one’s own needs, thoughts, and feelings;
Having intimacy issues;
Confusing love and pity;
Displaying fear of abandonment.
If that's you or your partner I recommend couples therapy!
Codependency runs rampant in our societies today. Codependency is a sign of abandoning, giving up yourself and losing your true voice out of fear of not getting others validation, approval and praise. Enmeshed families are especially detrimental to your self esteem when you give up your own needs and desires in order to give others the daughter, sister, or wife they want. Together we help your psychic inner child grow up with you so that they do not have to keep you acting in codependent ways.
entangled relationships start when we are born and are learned behaviours. Learning to create healthy boundaries and recognize each person is still seperate within the relationship can help create healthy relationships.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Social Worker, BBA, MDiv, MSW, CMAT, CSAT
Depending on others for approval or a sense of purpose is a very stressful life. It can feel too scary to be alone while having someone close romantically can feel overwhelming. Despite these extremes, you wish for more stability. I have experience helping people discover and build internal structures so that they can be themselves and feel safe with others.
Reach out today to get the care that you deserve.
Codependency can feel confusing and confounding. We are trying to sort out "who am I and who is the other?" Setting and maintaining boundaries and developing self awareness can be just two responses. The reward of doing this work is a clearer sense of one's self in relation to others.
Registered Psychotherapist, RP (Registered Psychotherapist), Diploma TIRP, member CAPT
Codependent relationships can feel hopelessly stuck, seemingly impossible to leave or to negotiate. Unconscious emotions and patterns are often at work, interacting with our partner in ways we feel we don't have control over. Being able to talk deeply about this can lead to increasing understanding and freedom, as patterns and personal histories begin to make sense. Clarity can emerge, and with that the possibility of autonomy and choice.
Jessica Weeks, Liz Bostwick, Nic Cadman, Benjamin Rubinoff, and Barbara Brown come with great experience working with folks on co-dependency and addiction patterns. Feel free to check out all our therapists to see who's the best fit for you. We can all work with you around stepping out of codependent patterns. Contact our Intake Worker to help determine who will be the best fit for you.
I specialize in helping individuals break free from codependency by fostering healthy, balanced relationships. Through our work together, I will guide you to develop self-awareness, establish healthy boundaries, and nurture a strong sense of self-worth.