Codependency

Codependency is a behavioral pattern in which an individual consistently sacrifices their own needs to meet the needs of others, often to the detriment of their well-being. It is commonly observed in relationships where one person struggles with addiction, mental illness, or chronic illness, and the other person assumes responsibility for the other's problems and emotions.

The term originated in the 1980s within recovery communities, especially among family members of people with addiction, and it has since entered broader mental health discourse. Codependency is not a formal DSM-5 disorder, but a cluster of related behaviors and attitudes that can impair functioning.

Common features include excessive caretaking, controlling behaviors, setting and enforcing rigid boundaries for others while failing to protect one's own limits, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, and an overreliance on others for a sense of identity or validation. These patterns can be reinforced by family dynamics, trauma, or modeling of caregiving roles in childhood, and they often coexist with anxiety or depression.

Impact may include relationship distress, burnout, neglect of personal health, and enabling or tolerating harmful behavior. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy to develop healthier boundaries and communication, group or family therapy, and participation in recovery or support groups. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral or dialectical behavior therapy, along with education about enabling and detachment with love, can support change. Outcomes vary, but many individuals report improved autonomy and more balanced relationships when they learn to prioritize self-care and boundaries.