Everyone needs support and encouragement from others and it’s normal to want those that you care about to think the best of you, but when the scale tips into needing that affirmation in order to feel normal, the cycle of codependency has begun. Like other disorders that plague families, codependency breeds itself within the walls of a home.
Identify if any other disorders feed codependency and see if they exist in the home. Often someone who is codependent fuels problems such as alcoholism or other addictions and is physically or emotionally abusive family members. Codependency is difficult to break unless the family addresses the underlying issues in the household to deal with codependency.
Co-Dependent Family Characteristics
Complete a self-evaluation of characteristics of codependency. This can help to identify patterns and habits that are common among those with codependency. Ask others in the family to complete the survey as well or share your results with them in hopes of enlightening them on what troubles the family.