Understanding What a Codependent Relationship Is

For the most part, people don't understand the term codependent relationship or what it means. Many people incorrectly think that codependency is a term that describes someone (usually a woman) who tends to be overly clingy and needy in a relationship. While neediness can be a sign of a codependent relationship, it isn't a valid way to explain this type of unhealthy relationship. The fact is the codependency is far more complicated than a simple sense of needing someone in one's life. Once you've read this article, you'll hopefully have an understanding of what a codependent relationship is and be able to determine whether or not you are in one.

The term codependent is comparatively young. It's only been around for a few decades. But people have been behaving in this way for much longer than that. Years ago, therapists began noticing that family members of alcoholics often acted in a manner similar to one another. What was happening was that many of these family members were spending the bulk of their time dealing with the problems that their loved one's addiction was causing. Before the word codependent started being used, these family members were called co-alcoholics. But then, counselors started to realize that someone didn't necessarily need to be in a relationship with an alcoholic, or even an addict, to exhibit these symptoms.

Codependency definitely covers a large quantity of dysfunctional relationship behaviors, but the main characteristics of someone who may be codependent can include:

- Using relationships as a source of self-worth instead of finding it from within.

- Codependents often take an inordinate amount of their time trying to fix others, usually people who don't want to be fixed at all.

Unfortunately, codependents are not able to have fulfilling relationships as long as they continue to display unhealthy behaviors. The good news about codependency is that a codependent doesn't have to stay the way they are. Through therapy and hard work, they are able to learn new behaviors that will allow them to function in healthy relationships. The bad news is that the only person who can make a change is the codependent. He/she must be willing to acknowledge that the way they relate is unhealthy and also be willing to take steps to change their behaviors.

Codependents are not bad people! For the most part, they are wonderful, kind people who are more concerned with others than they are themselves. Unfortunately, what usually happens is that they don't believe that they are worth being cared about - by themselves or others. If any of this sounds familiar to you, take the time to discover more about codependent relationships and how you can end the cycle of codependency and start having healthy relationships that make you feel happy and fulfilled!

Does any of this sound familiar to you? If so, NOW is the time for you to learn more about codependent relationships. It is possible to overcome codependency and you can do it!