Codependent Relationship Definition

Codependency refers to a psychological construct involving an unhealthy relationship that people might share with those closest to them.

Codependent relationship definition. A psychological condition or a relationship in which a person manifesting low self esteem and a strong desire for approval has an unhealthy attachment to another person and places the needs of that person before his or her own. It was originally thought to involve families of substance abuse but has since grown to include other types of dysfunctional relationships. Although mental health clinicians recognize codependency when they see it the definition of codependency and who has it has been debated for decades. Codependency is a behavioral condition in a relationship where one person enables another persons addiction poor mental health immaturity irresponsibility or under achievement.

Codependent relationships are close relationships where much of the love and intimacy in the relationship is experienced in the context of one persons distress and the others rescuing or. Codependent relationships signify a degree of unhealthy clinginess where one person doesnt have self sufficiency or autonomy says scott wetzler phd psychology division chief at albert. Your mood happiness and. Definitions of codependency vary but it is generally defined as a subclinical situational andor episodic behavioral condition similar to that of dependent personality disorder.

Experts agree that codependent patterns are passed on from one generation to another and that they can be unlearned with help. Among the core characteristics of codependency is an excessive reliance on other people for approval and a sense of identity. Medical definition of codependency. This circular relationship is the basis of what experts refer to when.

Codependency can be defined as any relationship in which two people become so invested in each other that they cant function independently anymore dr.