Have you ever heard of codependent relationships? The term is used fairly casually, and it’s estimated that about 90% of Americans show signs of codependent behavior at certain points in their life. Usually, codependency isn’t the healthiest way to live, but it can lead to severe emotional turmoil and long-lasting mental health challenges for certain people.

Here’s everything you need to know about codependency and why it’s bad for you.

What Is Codependency

In its earliest usage, codependency was used as a term to refer to people with partners with a substance use disorder. However, today, codependency is used to describe relationships with other dynamics as well.

As the term suggests, codependency in relationships exists when one partner has a somewhat one-sided reliance on the other partner. And even though the term is used very casually to describe some more needy partners, the truth is that real codependent relationships can get fairly ugly.

When a person is codependent in a relationship, they pretty much alter their life to completely revolve around the other partner. The problem gets worse because, in such relationships, the problem isn’t limited to one person being needy. After all, their partner is also an enabler who feels the need to be constantly needed in this obsessive manner. This is where it becomes a cycle of relationship codependency.

Why and How Is Codependency Dangerous

Codependency is bad for many reasons because it encourages both partners to develop unhealthy patterns that are emotionally destructive and downright toxic.

A codependent person may develop a fear of expressing themselves, and they will link every fiber of their self-worth and self-esteem to their partner. This essentially means unnecessary sacrifices and ignoring one’s personal needs, including emotional needs.

Another reason codependency is bad is that both partners may develop the inability to stay alone, but it’s usually worse for the codependent individual rather than the enabler. Over time, these unhealthy patterns contribute to severe nervous breakdowns and even a decline in physical health.

How to Be Less Codependent  

There’s a lot of work that goes into breaking out of this unhealthy cycle, but it’s not impossible. We think hypnosis is a great place to start since codependency has a lot to do with how you think about your partner and your relationship.

So, during hypnosis, we can tap into your subconscious mind and suggest healthier ways to lead your relationship where both partners are equally invested.

Get in touch with us to discuss codependency and boundaries and how hypnosis can help you on the path to being less codependent.

Contact us for more information