Codependency

Codependency is a learned behavioral disorder that affects a person’s ability to have a healthy and balanced relationship. At Open Door Wellness Center in Great Falls, Montana, Joshua Holloway, LCPC, and the team of professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating codependency. Call the office to learn more about getting help for codependency. 

What does codependency mean?

Codependency is an emotional and behavioral condition that makes it hard for a person to have a balanced and healthy relationship. The condition may involve different relationships, such as parent and child, romantic partners, or friends.

With codependency, the relationship between the dependent and codependent is one-sided, abusive, or emotionally damaging. It’s not unusual for the dependent in the relationship to also suffer from addiction or a mental illness.

Codependency is a learned behavior that develops in people who grow up in a dysfunctional family, where problems are ignored and emotions repressed. The codependent believes they’re the cause of the family problems and their needs don’t matter, so they suppress them.

How do I recognize codependency?

There are no set criteria for diagnosing codependency, and many of the characteristics overlap with other mental health conditions. 

Signs and symptoms of codependency include:

• Avoiding arguments
• Worrying what other people think of you
• Feeling the need to take care of others
• Doing more than your share in relationships
• Feeling hurt when your caregiving efforts aren’t acknowledged
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty making decisions
• Strong emotional reactions
• Chronic anger
• Need for control
• Fear of abandonment
• Lying

The low self-esteem that occurs in people with codependency has them searching outside themselves to find their self-worth. They feel that taking care of someone in need gives them a sense of belonging. 

But with codependency, the caretaking becomes compulsive, causing feelings of resentment and anger. Despite these feelings, codependency makes it hard to break free from the relationship.

When should I seek help for codependency?

You should seek help for codependency at Open Door Wellness Center if you’re unhappy about yourself or your relationships. The team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to understand how you think and feel and make a diagnosis. 

They ask detailed questions about your relationship and childhood experiences. They review your medical and mental health history, as well as your family history.

What are the treatments for codependency?

Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for codependency. During therapy, your provider at Open Door Wellness Center educates you about codependency and helps you understand the source of your behavior.

Then, they use therapeutic techniques to help you identify and change your unhealthy behaviors and thoughts to improve how you think and feel. The goal of therapy is to help you recognize your needs and desires and learn how to put yourself first.

Call Open Door Wellness Center or schedule a consultation online today to get the help you need.