Initially, Codependency referred to the enabling behaviors seen in alcoholic families where the family dynamics revolved around pleasing the alcoholic
More recently, however, codependency refers to anyone who may have grown up in a dysfunctional family who seeks personal happiness through control of or compliance with another person. Codependents often ignore their own needs as they focus on rescuing, fixing or blaming another person. They may see themselves as saviors or martyrs and many tend to have very low self worth, poor communication skills, lack of trust and anger as a result of their care taking behaviors.
Counseling is often needed to help codependents learn to set boundaries, take responsibility for themselves and release compulsions to constantly submit and care for others.
More recently, however, codependency refers to anyone who may have grown up in a dysfunctional family who seeks personal happiness through control of or compliance with another person. Codependents often ignore their own needs as they focus on rescuing, fixing or blaming another person. They may see themselves as saviors or martyrs and many tend to have very low self worth, poor communication skills, lack of trust and anger as a result of their care taking behaviors.
Counseling is often needed to help codependents learn to set boundaries, take responsibility for themselves and release compulsions to constantly submit and care for others.