CoDependents
Codependents are individuals who exhibit codependency—an excessive emotional or psychological reliance on another person, often to the detriment of their own needs. The term is commonly applied to relationships in which one person depends on the other for a sense of identity, validation, or stability, and it is frequently discussed in the context of relationships involving addiction or mental health issues, though it can occur in other settings.
Common traits include difficulty setting boundaries, people-pleasing, sacrificing personal needs, seeking constant approval, low self-esteem, fear
Causes and context often involve early family experiences where love or safety was contingent on meeting others’
Effects may include emotional distress, burnout, strained or unbalanced relationships, and poor self-care. Over time, codependency
Treatment and management typically involve therapy—individually or with family—as well as educational resources. Programs such as
Criticism and nuance note that codependency is a contested term in some circles; it is not a