Codependency means being in a dysfunctional relationship where one person exhausts all their energy—emotional and physical—in meeting the needs of the other.
While you’re going through it, you might think its love or commitment and that making sacrifices is part of any relationship. Unfortunately, codependency disguised as affection can harm both the codependent and the people they are close to.
Here are the telltale signs you might be codependent.
Being Manipulative
Codependents control and manipulate their partners. They can even be bossy and like telling others what to do and what not to do.
Such people often feel safe and secure when they are able to control every major aspect of their life. No one prefers to live life in complete uncertainty, but people who are codependent take it a bit (read a lot) further. As a result, they place strict controls on risk-taking behaviors and sharing their thoughts and feelings with others.
Having Low Self-Esteem
Do you feel like you don’t deserve love because you’re not worth it? Do you tend to focus more on your mistakes than on your achievements? Low-esteem is a serious problem for millions across the globe. Identifying symptoms of low self-esteem can get tricky when people do think highly of themselves—but not really.
While the underlying causes of low self-worth vary, the effect is rarely anything but negative. When you feel inadequate in yourself, you seek out others to fill the gaping hole within you. In short, you become codependent.
Agreeing With Your Partner Every. Single. Time
It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal issue, a political one, or anything in between. If you find yourself not having the courage—or even the will—to disagree with your significant other ever, it’s a problem.
You do anything to divert a possible argument. This is a sign of codependency because an emotionally mature individual is not afraid to take an opposing stance on some topics, if they want to.
On the other hand, codependents prefer to stay silent to dissolve a dispute as quickly as possible—even when they’re right.
Doing Favors Even When It Makes You Uncomfortable
We all have personal boundaries, things that we would rather not be a part of or do. While stepping out of your comfort zone can be a positive thing, it should always be for your growth and development.
A major red flag of codependency is when you catch yourself agreeing to do things that make you super uncomfortable, sad, or disturbed in any way. Remember, people who truly love you wouldn’t ask you for favors that you push your personal behavior boundaries to a painful extent.
Take A Step Toward Recovery
The symptoms of codependency get worse the longer you leave them unaddressed. Healthy love is a beautiful thing and something everyone should experience.
Rekha Shrivastava is a professional hypnotist who has worked with numerous clients dealing with codependency, low self-esteem, depression and emptiness, and other issues. She specializes in self-esteem strategies, managing trauma, stress management, and more. Her services are available via Skype online sessions.
Get a free consultation here.
SOURCES
https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-esteem.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914631/
https://psychcentral.com/lib/symptoms-of-codependency/
https://www.whatiscodependency.com/symptoms-of-codependency/
https://www.health.com/relationships/codependent-relationship-signs
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