As we take a closer look at codependence, it’s important to break down the various symptoms that might surface in a person who is dealing with this condition. As we go through these symptoms over the next few months, perhaps you will recognize yourself in some of the descriptions. Recognizing the problem is the [...]
From the moment of birth, children have five distinct, natural characteristics that make them human. These characteristics help shape who they are, and they can also be manipulated when children are a part of a dysfunctional family, causing symptoms of codependency to emerge in adulthood. The characteristics are: • Value – The [...]
We’ve spent some time going over the five core symptoms of codependency and the different types of thoughts and behaviors that are displayed if you struggle with it as a part of your everyday life. Today, I’d like to take some time and talk about the ways codependency symptoms can wreak havoc in your life, [...]
The final core symptom of Codependence has to do with the way you experience your reality. To put it simply, codependents live in an immoderate reality, which is distinguished by the characteristic of living, experiencing and feeling everything from one extreme to another. Most people are able to respond to everyday conversations, challenges and situations [...]
We all have basic things that we consider needs. Food, shelter, clothes, water, nurturing (both physical and emotional) and medical and/or dental care are all examples of those basic needs. All of these needs are vital for our survival, and some of them are derived from interactions with other people, while the other needs are [...]
Functional boundary systems serve three distinct purposes: They keep people from entering our space (possibly to abuse us) They keep us from entering the space of others (possibly to abuse them) They help us maintain a sense of who we are Boundaries can be divided into two categories – external and internal. External boundaries can [...]
The term "codependence" has come under heat in recent years. While there are certainly situations in which it is has been misused, there are many people who do indeed struggle with codependency. In the addiction world, there is a common misconception that a codependent can only refer to the partner of an addict who is [...]