Unhealthy, one-sided relationships are all too common. Many struggle to separate their identity and emotions from those of their loved ones. When communication is dysfunctional, and boundaries are consistently disrespected, you may experience patterns of codependency.
Identifying Codependent Behavior
Codependent people often seek to exclusively meet all their emotional needs in a single relationship. It sounds paradoxical, but many codependent individuals are primarily dependent on the other person’s dependence on them.
This leads to further unhealthy patterns of behavior. Codependent people may struggle with low self-esteem, problems with intimacy, and people-pleasing.
How Therapy Can Help
Our emotional investments can sometimes cloud our vision. Many people don’t even realize they’re struggling with codependency until they speak with a professional licensed counselor. Therapy can help clarify unhealthy patterns of behavior.