What's the opposite of codependency?

Codependency, the habit of gaining your self worth from pleasing others, is something most people know of nowadays. But it's lesser known opposite, called counterdependency, can be just as much of a problem.


What is the healthy opposite of codependency?

Healthy dependency, otherwise known as interdependency, involves a mutual give and take; both people give and receive support, encouragement, practical help, and so on. However, in codependent relationships, one person is doing most of the giving, but not being given much in return.

What is the difference between codependency and interdependency?

While codependency is an unequal partnership that puts one person above the other, interdependency requires both people to be able to operate autonomously. In healthy relationships, couples will feel closely attached and intertwined, but still capable of making their own decisions.


What is a counterdependent person?

Counter-dependence is the extreme opposite of dependence. It refers to the fear of depending on other people. If you are counter-dependent, you will go to great lengths to avoid asking for help. You may have a great fear of feeling, or appearing to feel, in need.

What are the two sides of codependency?

Codependent: The codependent has no personal identity, interests, or values outside of their codependent relationship. Dependent: Both people can express their emotions and needs and find ways to make the relationship beneficial for both of them.


Codependency vs What? What's the opposite of codependency?



Can you love someone and be codependent?

A codependent relationship can look like love, but it isn't. Love is predicated on choice, the choice to support and care for another. If you are dependent on another person for your emotional security and welfare, then the relationship is no longer based on love. Instead, it is based on need.

What is the root cause of codependency?

Childhood trauma is often a root cause of codependency. They don't always result, but for many people codependent relationships are a response to unaddressed past traumas. One reason may be that childhood trauma is usually family-centered: abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or even just divorce and fighting.

Are codependents narcissists?

People with narcisissm can also be codependent

People who have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can also experience codependency, due to the attention they're getting from their relationship. Since both conditions are rooted in an unhealthy reliance on other people, it's common to have overlap.


Why are codependents so needy?

Codependents are needy, demanding, and submissive. They suffer from abandonment anxiety and, to avoid being overwhelmed by it, they cling to others and act immaturely. These behaviors are intended to elicit protective responses and to safeguard the "relationship" with their companion or mate upon whom they depend.

What is CoDA codependency?

What is codepedency? Welcome to Co-Dependents Anonymous, a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop a positive and healthy relationships. The only requirement for to participate in CoDA is a desire for healthy and loving relationships.

Are codependents Empaths?

Empaths can have codependent tendencies but not all codependents are empaths. The difference is that empaths absorb the stress, emotions, and physical symptoms of others, something not all codependents do.


What is the difference between enmeshment and codependency?

"Codependency tends to describe a relationship between one person who rescues or enables and another person who acts out through emotional, physical, or substance abuse," Muñoz says. Enmeshment generally describes the behaviors, communications styles, and actions taken within a codependent friendship or relationship.

What is codependency called now?

It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often 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 alcoholics.

Is codependency the opposite of narcissism?

Narcissism and codependency aren't always opposites. The desire to feel needed is not that different from the desire to feel important. While many studies find lower rates of narcissism among people with codependency, some have actually found higher rates of narcissism among those with codependent traits.


Is there positive codependency?

Although codependency causes hurt and frustration, there are positive strengths inherent in these patterns.In moderation, these traits are an asset. They draw people towards you and help you make fast connections.

Is being codependent toxic?

Codependency in relationships can be extremely toxic, especially to the individual who is struggling with the codependent issues. A codependent person tends to make their relationship more important than anything else—including their own well-being.

What are 5 to 10 characteristics of a codependent person?

Signs of codependency include:
  • Difficulty making decisions in a relationship.
  • Difficulty identifying your feelings.
  • Difficulty communicating in a relationship.
  • Valuing the approval of others more than valuing yourself.
  • Lacking trust in yourself and having poor self-esteem.


Are codependents people pleasers?

Is codependency the same as people-pleasing? You can have people-pleasing tendencies and still not be codependent. “All codependent people are people pleasers, but not all people pleasers are codependent,” says Kate Engler, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Skokie, Illinois.

Who are codependents attracted to?

Codependents seek out partners whom they can save and get drowned in taking care of their partners while never being taken care of themselves. Like a pair of dysfunctional puzzle pieces perfectly fitting together floating across a sea of misery, codependents attract those who desire caregivers and enablers (vampires).

Do codependents feel empathy?

A codependent is someone whose feelings, thoughts, and actions revolve around another person. [I] Codependents needn't be empathetic and an empath needn't be codependent. Some people justify or glorify their codependency on the fact that they're empathetic; however, codependency is something very specific.


How do you break codependency?

Some healthy steps to healing your relationship from codependency include:
  1. Start being honest with yourself and your partner. ...
  2. Stop negative thinking. ...
  3. Don't take things personally. ...
  4. Take breaks. ...
  5. Consider counseling. ...
  6. Rely on peer support. ...
  7. Establish boundaries.


Are codependents liars?

Lying to themselves and making excuses for others' bad behavior: Because codependents do not deal directly with their feelings, they develop techniques to lie to themselves about others' behaviors.

Can you stop being codependent?

The short answer - yes. Although codependency is often a serious problem in relationships, it can be fixed if both people are willing to make the changes necessary to make their relationship work.


Does codependency ever go away?

Some individuals are able to overcome codependency on their own. Learning about what it means to be codependent and the harm it causes can be enough for some individuals to change their behavior. Some steps you can take to overcome codependence include: Look for signs of a healthy relationship.

Can you heal from codependency?

If you've been stuck in codependent thoughts and behaviors for a while, you understand that recovery is a long-term process requiring mindful self-care and self-love. Recovery from codependency isn't all or nothing. It will take some time as well as trial and error.