codependence

Unhealthy emotional fusion

Codependence is a pattern in relationships where one person's sense of identity and worth becomes excessively tied to caring for or controlling another—often someone with an addiction or other dysfunction.

The codependent person enables harmful behavior while neglecting their own needs: Her codependence kept her in the marriage long after it became destructive.

Originally from addiction psychology, the term now applies broadly to any relationship marked by unhealthy emotional reliance.

psychology

enmeshment

Boundary-blurring relational pattern

enablingMaking something feasible
attachmentConnection or fondness
boundariesLines marking separation

dysfunction · trauma · therapy · self-esteem · anxiety · insecurity · approval-seeking · people-pleasing · caretaking · rescue

relationship

enabling

Making something feasible

enmeshmentBoundary-blurring relational pattern
boundariesLines marking separation
intimacyEmotional closeness between people

partnership · attachment · bonding · reliance · trust · loyalty · connection · commitment · communication · separation

toxic

manipulation

Underhanded control of others

controlAuthority to direct
abuseCruel or violent treatment
dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation

exploitation · suffocation · neglect · gaslighting · guilt · shame · resentment · isolation · jealousy · possessiveness

recovery

healing

Restoration of health

therapyCurative mental treatment
boundariesLines marking separation
self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing

detachment · awareness · growth · autonomy · self-worth · Al-Anon · counseling · journaling · affirmations · milestones

addiction

enabler

One who facilitates harmful behavior

substancePhysical material with mass
alcoholismAddiction to drinking
Al-AnonSupport for affected families

recovery · relapse · sobriety · intervention · detachment · denial · family · support · twelve-step · sponsor

Categories

connectionslink, links, connect, connection, tie
family dynamicsfamily dynamics, family roles, family therapy, sibling rivalry, parenting
dependencerely, need, rely on, neediness, reliance
addictionsaddiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, nicotine addiction, gambling
overgiving problemsovergiving, enabling, people-pleasing, martyrdom, smothering
relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting

Opposites

relational health

codependenceinterdependence

Reciprocal reliance between entities

secure attachment · mutual respect · reciprocity · healthy boundaries · emotional health

self-orientation

codependenceindependence

Freedom from external control

self-reliance · autonomy · self-sufficiency · individualism · self-determination

boundary quality

codependencedifferentiation

Recognizing meaningful differences

self-differentiation · separateness · detachment · healthy boundaries · emotional detachment

Family

codependency, codependent, codependents, codependencies

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Rated PG