Insight4Change

SPECIALIZING IN TREATING ADDICTION

  JoAnne Lapi-Nuccio LMHC, CAP

What is Codependency?

Codependency is defined when someone becomes so preoccupied with someone else that they neglect themselves. In a way, it is the belief that something outside of themselves can give them happiness and fulfillment. The payoff in focusing on someone else is a decrease in painful feelings and anxiety.

Codependency is when people operate as if they are okay only if they please the people around them.

Two different things may be going on:

1. They may be struggling with a strong need to control those around them into giving them the approval they need to feel okay.

2. They minimize their emotions until they hardly experience any emotion at all. No fear, pain, anger, shame, joy, or pleasure. They just exist from one day to the next.