Co-dependency facts for kids
In psychology, codependency is when one person enables another person's self-destructive behavior such as poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement.
Definitions of codependency vary, but typically include high self-sacrifice, a focus on others' needs, suppression of one's own emotions, and attempts to control or fix other people's problems.
People who self-identify as codependent exhibit low self-esteem. Codependency is not limited to married, partnered, or romantic relationships, as co-workers, friends, and family members can be codependent as well.
Codependent relationships are often marked by dependency, control (including caretaking), denial, dysfunctional communication and boundaries, and high reactivity. There may be imbalance within the relationship, where one person is abusive or in control or supports or enables another person's addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement.
Under this conception of codependency, the codependent person's sense of purpose within a relationship is based on making extreme sacrifices to satisfy their partner's needs. Codependent relationships signify a degree of unhealthy "clinginess" and needy behavior, where one person does not have self-sufficiency or autonomy. One or both parties depend on their loved one for fulfillment.
See also
In Spanish: Codependencia para niños
