Codependency
CodependencyCodependency is an emotional, psychological, and behavioral condition that develops as a result of an individual's prolonged exposure to, and practice of, a set of oppressive rules - rules which prevent the open expression of feelings as well as the direct discussion of personal and interpersonal problems. Codependency is a disease of the soul, and an "equal opportunity" emotional disorder affecting people of all ages, races, genders, creeds, educational backgrounds, and income levels. It is a diagnostic term to describe behaviors that are extreme, compulsive, and inappropriate to conceal the exposure of inner feelings. One who suffers from a codependency disorder is called a codependent. Often associated with alcoholism and substance, codependency has become a disorder that develops in relationships and families where the victim is not always the one with the substance abuse problem. A codependent person is one who has let another person's behavior affect them or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person's behavior
Codependents often come from alcoholic or other dysfunctional families where there are rigid roles and behavior patterns, the pretence of a 'happy family' and the inability to be oneself. These children have little sense of personal identity and instead concentrate on being needed. They can excel at coping and caring, but underneath there is always the wish to comply, or please others, and control, or to manipulate others. This can lead to illness and depression, with mounting personal problems, which are never fully addressed. Codependents wonder why they are unable to form satisfactory relationships and why things tend always to go wrong for them.
Codependency is a complex disorder that thrives in unhealthy relationships. By definition, codependency is an addiction to a person, an activity, or a thing, that interferes with mental peace, and obsession used as an avoidance technique. Codependency has identifiable symptoms and follows certain patterns of behavior. A person suffering from codependency is called a codependent. Codependents become so focused on others that they can "lose" themselves. Personal boundaries, limits set between yourself and others, become confused. They often go out of their way to please the people in their social circle. A woman that is married to an abusive alcoholic, for example, will often go out of her way to try and please her abusive husband, even though he logically doesn't deserve anything that remotely resembles pleasure from his wife. Whenever her husband beats her, she believes that it is her fault. Codependents tend to have low self-esteem, so this kind of treatment is second nature. If she does not seek help, she can end up suffering from emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship dysfunctions, and cycling between hyperactivity / lethargy. She could also suffer from physical illnesses such as gastro-intestinal disturbances, colitis, ulcers, migraine headaches, non-specific rashes and skin problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, sleep disorders, and other stress related physical illnesses.
What makes this situation even worse, is the woman also loses touch of who she...
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