![]() Others may develop compulsive behaviors like workaholism, gambling, or indiscriminate sexual activity. They find it hard to “be themselves.” Some try to feel better through alcohol, drugs or nicotine - and become addicted. How Do Co-dependent People Behave?Ĭo-dependents have low self-esteem and look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better. When co-dependents place other people’s health, welfare and safety before their own, they can lose contact with their own needs, desires, and sense of self. The co-dependent person typically sacrifices his or her needs to take care of a person who is sick. The identity and emotional development of the members of a dysfunctional family are often inhibitedĪttention and energy focus on the family member who is ill or addicted. They become “survivors.” They develop behaviors that help them deny, ignore, or avoid difficult emotions. As a result, family members learn to repress emotions and disregard their own needs. They don’t talk about them or confront them. ![]() The presence of a family member suffering from a chronic mental or physical illness.ĭysfunctional families do not acknowledge that problems exist.The existence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.An addiction by a family member to drugs, alcohol, relationships, work, food, sex, or gambling.Underlying problems may include any of the following: What is a Dysfunctional Family and How Does it Lead to Co-dependency?Ī dysfunctional family is one in which members suffer from fear, anger, pain, or shame that is ignored or denied. ![]() Today, however, the term has broadened to describe any co-dependent person from any dysfunctional family. Similar patterns have been seen in people in relationships with chronically or mentally ill individuals. Originally, co-dependent was a term used to describe partners in chemical dependency, persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person. Co-dependent behavior is learned by watching and imitating other family members who display this type of behavior.Ĭo-dependency often affects a spouse, a parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker of a person afflicted with alcohol or drug dependence. The disorder was first identified about ten years ago as the result of years of studying interpersonal relationships in families of alcoholics. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive. It is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another.
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