You can pick your friends. You can pick your romantic partners. You can’t, however, pick your family. It’s no surprise, then, that families are a common source of codependency issues. Familial codependency patterns can be incredibly difficult to break out of without the help of a professional therapist. Lifelong habits and expectations place tremendous pressure on codependent individuals.
Identifying Codependency
Time spent with family often coincides with stressful life events – holidays, celebrations, and funerals often bring us together with loved ones under intense pressure. Codependent issues within the family system can be difficult to resolve.
The first step in addressing codependency is identifying it. Some may find it challenging to express honest emotions around their loved ones. Others struggle to set healthy boundaries. Codependent family members frequently fear conflict and avoid standing up for themselves. Addiction and intimacy issues may also signify codependency issues.
How Therapy Can Help
Codependent families may experience frequent arguments, emotional burnout, and difficulty connecting emotionally. But there is reason to be hopeful. If you are struggling with family issues, therapy can help.
