Codependency: Family and Co-dependency this Condition

Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another. It is an stirred and behavioural condition that affects an individuals ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as relationship addiction because people with codependency ofttimes form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive. The disorder was first identified about ten years ago as the result of years of studying interpersonal relationships in families of soakers.Co-dependent behavior is learned by watching and imitating other family members who display this type of behavior. Who Does Co-dependency Affect? Co-dependency often affects a spouse, a parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker of a person afflicted with alcohol or drug dependence. Originally, co-dependent was a term used to describe partners in chemical substance dependency, persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person. Similar patter ns have been seen in people in relationships with chronically or mentally sick of(p) individuals.Today, however, the term has broadened to describe any co-dependent person from any dysfunctional family. What is a Dysfunctional Family and How Does it Lead to Co-dependency? A dysfunctional family is one in which members suffer from fear, anger, pain, or shame that is ignored or denied. Underlying problems may include any of the following An addiction by a family member to drugs, alcohol, relationships, work, food, sex, or gambling. The existence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. The presence of a family member suffering from a chronic mental or physical illness.Dysfunctional families do not acknowledge that problems exist. They wear upont talk about them or confront them. As a result, family members learn to repress emotions and disregard their own needs. They become survivors. They develop behaviors that help them deny, ignore, or avoid difficult emotions. They detach them selves. They dont talk. They dont touch. They dont confront. They dont feel. They dont trust. The identity and emotional development of the members of a dysfunctional family are often inhibited Attention and energy focus on the family member who is ill or ddicted.The co-dependent person typically sacrifices his or her needs to take care of a person who is sick. When co-dependents place other peoples health, welfare and safety before their own, they can get contact with their own needs, desires, and sense of self. How Do Co-dependent People Behave? Co-dependents have low self-esteem and look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better. They find it grueling to be themselves. Some try to feel better through alcohol, drugs or nicotine and become addicted.Related essay Shame is Worth a TryOthers may develop compulsive behaviors like workaholism, gambling, or indiscriminate sexual activity. They have good intentions. They try to take care of a person who is experienc ing difficulty, but the caretaking becomes compulsive and defeating. Co-dependents often take on a martyrs role and become benefactors to an individual in need. A wife may cover for her alcoholic husband a mother may make excuses for a truant child or a father may pull some set up to keep his child from suffering the consequences of delinquent behavior.The problem is that these repeated rescue attempts allow the needy individual to continue on a destructive bod and to become even more dependent on the unhealthy caretaking of the benefactor. As this reliance increases, the co-dependent develops a sense of reward and satisfaction from being needed. When the caretaking becomes compulsive, the co-dependent feels choiceless and helpless in the relationship, but is unable to break away from the cycle of behavior that causes it. Co-dependents view themselves as victims and are attracted to that same weakness in the love and friendship relationships.