Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Codependent relationships are a type of dysfunctional ward others by gaining their approval and aection, and
helping relationship where one person supports or enables unconsciously control them through their dependent style.
another persons addiction, poor mental health, imma- They are unselsh, virtuous, martyr-like, faithful, and
turity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement.[1] Among turn the other cheek despite personal humiliation. Ap-
the core characteristics of codependency, the most com- proval from others is more important than respecting
mon theme is an excessive reliance on other people for themselves.[5]
approval and identity.[1]
Al-Anon was formed in 1951, 16 years after Alcoholics
Anonymous was founded.[6] Al-Anon holds the view that
alcoholism is a family illness[7] and is one of the earliest
1 History recognitions of codependency.
The expansion of the meaning of codependency hap-
According to disability studies specialist Lennard J. pened very publicly.[8]
Davis, historically, the concept of co-dependence comes
directly out of Alcoholics Anonymous, part of a dawning Janet G. Woititz's Adult Children of Alcoholics had
realization that the problem was not solely the addict, but come out in 1983 and sold two million copies while
also the family and friends who constitute a network for being on the New York Times best seller list for
the alcoholic.[2] It was subsequently broadened to cover forty-eight weeks.[8]
the way that the codependent person is xated on an-
other person for approval, sustenance, and so on.[2] Robin Norwood's Women Who Love Too Much,
The concept of codependency overlaps with, but de- 1985, sold two and a half million copies and
veloped in the mainstream independently from, the spawned Twelve Step groups across the country for
older psychoanalytic concept of the passive dependent women addicted to men.[8]
personality which is attaching oneself to a stronger Melody Beattie popularized the concept of codepen-
personality.[3] Dependency is well-established in psy- dency in 1986 with the book Codependent No More
chological literature. Whereas early on psychoanalytic which sold eight million copies.[9]
theory emphasized the oral character and structural ba-
sis of dependency, social learning theory considered a
In 1986, Timmen Cermak, M.D. wrote Diagnosing and
tendency to be acquired by learning and experience, and
Treating Co-Dependence: A Guide for Professionals. In
ethological attachment theory posited that attachment or
the book and an article published in the Journal of Psy-
aectional bonding is the basis for dependency. All three
choactive Drugs (Volume 18, Issue 1, 1986), Cermak
theories have contributed to the concept of dependent
argued (unsuccessfully) for the inclusion of codepen-
personality disorder as dened by the Diagnostic and
dency as a separate personality disorder in the Diagnostic
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R;
American Psychiatric Association. The denition and
American Psychiatric Association, 1987).[10] Cermaks
criteria have changed in the dierent versions of the
book paved the way for a Twelve-step take-o program,
DSM. In DSM-I, passive dependency personality was
called Co-Dependents Anonymous.[11]
characterized by helplessness, denial, and indecisiveness,
and was considered a subtype of passive aggressive per- The rst Co-Dependents Anonymous meeting was held
sonality. By DSM-IV, there were nine criteria with an October 22, 1986.[11]
essential feature of a pervasive or lifetime pattern of de-
pendent and submissive behavior. The DSM-IV deni-
tion emphasized the excessive need to be taken care of, 2 Symptoms and behaviors
leading to submissive and clinging behavior and fear of
separation.[4] Given its grassroots origin, the precise denition of code-
The codependency movement may have its roots in the pendency varies based on the source but can be gen-
theories of German psychoanalyst Karen Horney. In erally characterized as a subclinical and situational or
1941, she proposed that some people adopt what she episodic behavior similar to that of dependent personal-
termed a Moving Toward personality style to overcome ity disorder.[1] In its broadest denition, a codependent is
their basic anxiety. Essentially, these people move to- someone who cannot function from their innate self and
1
2 3 PATTERNS AND CHARACTERISTICS
whose thinking and behavior is instead organized around 3 Patterns and characteristics
another person, or even a process, or substance.[12] In
this context, people who are addicted to a substance, like Codependency can occur in any type of relationship, in-
drugs, or a process, like gambling or sex, can also be con- cluding family, work, friendship, and also romantic, peer
sidered codependent. In its most narrow denition, it re- or community relationships.[19]
quires one person to be physically or psychologically ad-
dicted, such as to heroin, and the second person to be psy-
chologically dependent on that behavior.[13] Some users 3.1 Enmeshed romantic relationship
of the codependency concept use the word as an alterna-
tive to using the concept of dysfunctional families, with- These relationships typically have a rapturous beginning,
out statements that classify it as a disease.[14] a feeling of a whirlwind romance. The codependents
Codependency does not refer to all caring behavior or feel drawn to each other as if they're soul mates or some
feelings, but only those that are excessive to an unhealthy omnipotent entity has brought them together, the feel-
degree.[15] One of the distinctions is that healthy empathy ing is euphoric and doesn't really last longer than a few
and caregiving is motivated by conscious choice; whereas months. As the relationship unfolds, the codependents
for codependents, their actions are compulsive, and they develop an unhealthy attachment and rely on each other
usually aren't able to weigh in the consequences of them for their sense of self-worth.[20] In a codependent rela-
or their own needs that they're sacricing. Some schol- tionship, the codependents sense of purpose is based on
ars and treatment providers feel that codependency is an making extreme sacrices to satisfy their partners needs.
overresponsibility and that overresponsibility needs to be Codependent relationships signify a degree of unhealthy
understood as a positive impulse gone awry. Responsi- clinginess, where one person doesn't have self-suciency
bility for relationships with others needs to coexist with or autonomy. One or both parties depend on their loved
responsibility to self.[16] one for fulllment.[21] There is almost always an uncon-
scious reason for continuing to put another persons life
Codependency has been referred to as the disease of ahead of your own, and often it is because of the mistaken
a lost self.[12][17] Codependent relationships are marked notion that self-worth comes from other people.
by intimacy problems, dependency, control (including
caretaking) denial, dysfunctional communication and Particularly problematic pairings include:
boundaries, and high reactivity. Often, there is imbal-
ance, so one person is abusive or in control or supports or Personality disorder and codependent pair-
enables another persons addiction, poor mental health, ing
immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement.[18]
Borderline personality disorder.
Some codependents often nd themselves in relationships
There is a tendency for loved ones of
where their primary role is that of rescuer, supporter, and
people with borderline personality dis-
condante. These helper types are often dependent on the
order (BPD) to slip into caretaker roles,
other persons poor functioning to satisfy their own emo-
[1] giving priority and focus to problems in
tional needs. Many codependents place a lower priority
the life of the person with BPD rather
on their own needs, while being excessively preoccupied
than to issues in their own lives. Too
with the needs of others. Codependency can occur in any
often in these kinds of relationships,
type of relationship, including family, work, friendship,
[19] the codependent will gain a sense of
and also romantic, peer or community relationships.
worth by being the sane one or the
Commonly cited symptoms of codependency are:[1] responsible one.[22]
Codependent and/or impulse disordered in- ing extremely selsh, a bully, or an otherwise conict-
dividuals and codependent pairing[26] addicted person is not.[15][28]
(h) Has been (or is) the victim of recurrent physi- Submissiveness
cal or sexual abuse
Sycophancy
(i) Stress related medical illnesses
(j) Has remained in a primary relationship with an Toxic leader
active substance abuser for at least two years Transactional analysis
without seeking outside help.
Traumatic bonding
6 Controversies
8 References
Some believe that codependency is not a negative
trait, and does not need to be treated, as it is [1] Johnson, R. Skip (13 July 2014). Codependency and
more likely a healthy personality trait taken to ex- Codependent Relationships. BPDFamily.com. Re-
cess. Codependency in nonclinical populations has trieved 9 September 2014.
some links with favourable characteristics of family [2] Davis, Lennard J. (2008). Obsession: A History. London:
functioning.[31] University of Chicago Press. p. 178. ISBN 0-226-13782-
1.
Stan Katz feels that codependence is over-
diagnosed, and that many people who could be [3] Berne, Eric (1976). A Laymans Guide to Psychiatry and
helped with shorter-term treatments instead become Psychoanalysis. Penguin. pp. 64 and 241. ISBN 0-345-
dependent on long-term self-help programs.[32] 30922-7.
The language of, symptoms of, and treatment for [4] Sperry, M.D.,Ph.D, Len (13 May 2013). Handbook of Di-
codependence derive from the medical model sug- agnosis and Treatment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders.
gesting a disease process underlies the behavior. Kentucky: Routledge. p. 108. ISBN 9780415935692.
There is no evidence that codependence is caused [5] Rotunda, Ph.D, Robert J. Codependency. University of
by a disease process. West Florida.
Antinarcissism [8] Travis, Trish (2009). The Language of the Heart, A Cul-
tural History of the Recovery Movement from Alcoholics
Attachment theory Anonymous to Oprah Winfrey. Chapel Hill, N.C.: Uni-
versity of North Carolina Press. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-
Assertiveness 8078-3319-3.
5
[9] J. S. Rice, A Disease of Ones Own (1998) p. 2 [28] Aeck, Glenn; Tennen, Howard; Croog, Sydney; Levine,
Sol (1987). Causal attribution, perceived benets, and
[10] Morgan Jr., JP (1991). What is codependency?". morbidity after a heart attack: An 8-year study. Jour-
J Clin Psychol 47 (5): 7209. doi:10.1002/1097- nal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 55 (1): 2935.
4679(199109)47:5<720::aid-jclp2270470515>3.0.co;2- doi:10.1037/0022-006X.55.1.29. PMID 3571655.
5. PMID 1939721.
[29] Collet, L (1990). After the anger, what then? ACOA:
[11] Irving, Leslie (1999). Codependent Forevermore, The In- Self-help or self-pity?". Family Therapy Networker 14
vention of Self in a Twelve Step Group. Chicago: Univer- (1): 2231.
sity of Chicago Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-226-38471-3.
[30] Codependence, in: Benjamin J. Sadock & Virginia
[12] Lancer, Darlene (2012). Codependency for Dummies (1st A. Sadock (eds), Kaplan & Sadocks Comprehensive
ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 30. ISBN Textbook of Psychiatry on CD, Philadelphia: Lippincott
1118095227. Williams & Wilkins, 7th ed. 2000, ISBN 0-7817-2141-5,
ISBN 2-07-032070-7.
[13] Codependent | Dene Codependent at Dictionary.com.
Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2012-11-14. [31] Prest, Layne A.; Benson, Mark J.; Protinsky, Howard
O. (1998). Family of Origin and Current Relationship
[14] Codependency / Dysfunctional Families Archive copy, Inuences on Codependency. Family Process 37 (4):
July 24, 2008 51328. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1998.00513.x. PMID
9934570.
[15] Moos, R.H.; Finney, J.W.; Cronkite, R.C. (1990). Alco-
holism Treatment: Context, Process and Outcome. New [32] Katz, Stan. The Codependency Conspiracy: How to Break
York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504362-6. the Recovery Habit and Take Charge of Your Life,.
[25] Crompton, p. 31
10 External links
[26] Cermak M.D., Timmen L. (1986). Diagnostic Criteria
for Codependency. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 18 (1): Codependency support: general at DMOZ
1520. doi:10.1080/02791072.1986.10524475.
Codependency support: co-alcoholic at DMOZ
[27] Gomberg, Edith S Lisansky (1989). Gomberg, Edith
S, ed. On Terms Used and Abused: The Concept of Codependency support: borderline personality dis-
'Codependency'". Drugs & Society 3 (34): 11332. order at DMOZ
doi:10.1300/J023v03n03_05. ISBN 978-0-86656-965-
1.
6 11 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES
11.2 Images