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.
History
The term "codependency" most likely developed in Minnesota in the late 1970s. It is most often identified with Alcoholics Anonymous, and was first used to describe how family members and friends might interfere with the recovery of a person affected by a substance use disorder by "overhelping".
In 1986, psychiatrist Timmen Cermak found that the condition could affect people close to people with any mental disorder, not just addiction.
Melody Beattie popularized the concept of codependency in 1986 with the book Codependent No More which sold eight million copies.
Relationships
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
