co-dependence
Unhealthy emotional fusion
Co-dependence is a pattern of excessive emotional reliance on another person, especially one with an addiction or other dysfunction.
The co-dependent partner often enables harmful behavior while neglecting their own needs: Her co-dependence kept her in the relationship long after it turned toxic.
The term emerged from addiction recovery circles but now applies broadly to any unhealthily enmeshed relationship.
Also spelled codependence.
Making something feasible
- enmeshmentBoundary-blurring relational pattern
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- boundariesLines marking separation
partner · caretaking · people-pleasing · control · manipulation · neediness · insecurity · validation
Professional guidance for problems
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- healingRestoration of health
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
self-help · boundaries · assertiveness · inner-child · trauma · patterns · awareness · detachment
Interspecies biological interdependence
- mutualityShared dependence or exchange
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- partnershipShared business arrangement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
support · interconnection · collaboration · give-and-take · teamwork · cooperation
One who facilitates harmful behavior
- alcoholismAddiction to drinking
- relapseReturn to former illness
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
denial · protecting · caretaking · sobriety · detachment · tough-love · bottom · consequences
enabling
Making something feasible
- enmeshmentBoundary-blurring relational pattern
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
boundaries · partner · caretaking · people-pleasing · control · manipulation · neediness · insecurity · validation · approval-seeking
counseling
Professional guidance for problems
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- healingRestoration of health
intervention · self-help · boundaries · assertiveness · inner-child · trauma · patterns · awareness · detachment · self-esteem
symbiosis
Interspecies biological interdependence
- mutualityShared dependence or exchange
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- partnershipShared business arrangement
balance · support · interconnection · collaboration · give-and-take · teamwork · cooperation
enabler
One who facilitates harmful behavior
- alcoholismAddiction to drinking
- relapseReturn to former illness
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
intervention · denial · protecting · caretaking · sobriety · detachment · tough-love · bottom · consequences · rehabilitation
co-dependenceindependence
Freedom from external control
self-sufficiency · autonomy · self-reliance · individuation · detachment
co-dependencesecure attachment
Reliable caregiver-child emotional bond
emotional maturity · self-esteem · self-worth · self-actualization · self-validation