What's the opposite of codependent?

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 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 is the difference between codependent and interdependent?

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 non codependent relationship?

In codependent relationships, there is a reliance on one partner “needing” the other which creates a sense of stagnancy. Interdependent relationships, on the other hand, allow room for growth and change without feeling threatened.

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.


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



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.

Can empaths be codependent?

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.

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.


Are you codependent or just caring?

Questions to help you differentiate codependency and caring

Do I feel compelled to help or fix someone? Is it difficult for me to focus on my own needs? Do I worry a lot about someone else and their problems? Am I helping or enabling?

Am I in love or 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 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.


Can 2 codependents be together?

A codependent couple will not be good for each other. Usually, they will get together because one or both of them has a dysfunctional personality, and more often than not they will make each other worse. For example, people involved with narcissists will find themselves giving and giving, but it's never enough.

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.

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 mental illness causes codependency?

Mental health experts borrowed criteria of codependent behavior from dependent personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and histrionic personality disorder. Even without a clear diagnosis, giving up on someone with mental illness should be avoided.

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).

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.


How do you know you're no longer codependent?

Signs of Codependency Recovery. You validate your feelings and say nice things to yourself. You dont rely on other people to make you feel valid and worthy. You notice what you do right rather than only the things you do wrong or imperfectly.

What attachment style are codependents?

Anxious attachment is what is most often referred to as codependent. Those with anxious attachment often feel as though they would like to be close to others or one person in particular but they worry that another person may not want to be close to them. They struggle with feeling inferior, never good enough.

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.


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.

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.

What is a toxic empath?

What is toxic empathy? Toxic empathy is when a person is able to identify with another person's situation, but to such an extreme degree that they prioritize this other person's challenges and begin to neglect their own personal needs.


What is the best therapy for codependency?

While some individuals may be able to break out of patterns of codependent behavior on their own, often it requires professional treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals focus on understanding behaviors and changing reactions.

What is a hyper empath?

What is hyper-empathy syndrome? Hyper-empathy is the innate ability to be completely connected and in-tune with another's emotions and, subsequently, on high alert towards negative feelings.