Blog6: Co-dependency
Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another. Co-dependency can affect the whole family and lead to various long-term problems, such as low self-esteem, depression, numbing of emotions, health problems, and relationship difficulties. In relationships codependents often find they are no longer able to trust or be open and honest and if they do get involved in relationships, they are usually unhealthy ones that cause them more pain. The individuals usually have good intentions and try to take care of a person who is experiencing difficulty, but the caretaking becomes compulsive and defeating.
Individuals who are co-dependent often share some of the same characteristics such as a tendency to do more than their share, a tendency to become hurt when people don’t recognize their efforts, problems with intimacy, and chronic anger. Because co-dependency is usually rooted in a person’s childhood, treatment often involves exploration into early childhood issues and their relationship to current destructive behavior patterns.
We have all met individuals that are co-dependent within are lifetime and often deal with them on daily basics. How many times have you seen a father pull some strings to get his child out of trouble? Then later try to cover something up to keep them out of trouble? Although the latter is not an extreme case it often leads to parents who will do anything for their children. As I was reading about this aspect of co-dependency I began to think to myself that I may be falling into this category. As I have found myself doing anything and everything for my own daughter. I get a sense of worth whenever she needs me to take care of something for her and I revolve everything in my life around her. Is this just being a good parent or is it co-dependency?