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6 signs codependency is affecting your relationships

Codependency in relationships is a pattern of behavior in which one person becomes overly focused on the needs and problems of the other person, to the point where it negatively impacts their own well-being and personal growth. This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as constantly sacrificing one's own needs and desires to meet the needs of the other person, enabling or covering up for the other person's bad behavior, or feeling a sense of worth or identity based on the relationship.

Codependency can occur in any type of relationship, including romantic relationships, family relationships, and friendships. It's often considered as a learned behavior that can be overcome with therapy, self-help, and support groups. Some common signs of codependency in a relationship include:

  1. Difficulty setting and maintaining healthy boundaries: Codependent individuals may have difficulty saying "no" to others and may have trouble expressing their own wants and needs.

  2. Difficulty trusting oneself and making decisions: Codependent individuals may rely heavily on the opinions and guidance of others, rather than trusting their own instincts and decision-making abilities.

  3. Constant caretaking and enabling: Codependent individuals may constantly put the needs of others before their own, and may enable the problematic behaviors of the other person.

  4. Difficulty with intimacy: Codependent individuals may have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy, intimate relationships, and may have a fear of abandonment.

  5. Low self-esteem: Codependent individuals may have low self-esteem and may feel that their value or worth is based on their relationship with the other person.

  6. Difficulty coping with emotions: Codependent individuals may have difficulty coping with their own emotions, such as anger, sadness, and anxiety. They may also have difficulty identifying and expressing their feelings.


It's important to note that codependency is a complex issue, and many of these signs may be present in varying degrees. The first step in overcoming codependency is recognizing and acknowledging that it is a problem, and that it is negatively impacting one's own life and well-being. This includes learning to say "no" when necessary and to prioritise one's own needs and wants. It's also important to remember that overcoming codependency is a process, and it takes time and effort. Be kind and compassionate with yourself while working on this and know that it's okay to seek support and help if you feel codependency is affecting your life and relationships


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