Codependent Relationship
A codependent relationship is a psychological state
in which someone shows an excess of improper love for someone else's
difficulties. A codependent person may attempt to alter their behavior
or feel ashamed about the feelings they have for the person they are in
a relationship with but are unable or unwilling to change the situation.
A good example is a wife in a relationship with a drug addict. Even
though she knows that their spouse has a drug problem, she makes excuses
for the behavior or do nothing to alter the addictive behavior in order
to ease life at home. This enables the drug use.
A codependent relationship may involve irrational behaviors learned by a
spouse or family member so that they can endure in a family relationship
which is going through huge emotional struggles and stress as a result
of alcoholism, addiction, illness or poverty.
People who are codependent have an inclination to have relationships
with persons who are erratic, emotionally unstable or have unhealthy
needs. The person in a codependent relationship will usually supply and
organize everything in regards to that relationship without worrying
about their own needs.
Symptoms that someone may exhibit when in a codependent relationship
are a need to control everything, unhealthy suspicion of others,
depression, sexual problems, sorrow, physical disease due to
stress and extreme frustration when unable to control the
codependent relationship.
