We often think of codependence as being associated with substance abuse, and it often is, but we can react in a codependent way in other situations too. Here are 5 codependent behaviors that my surprise you:
1. Feeling responsible for solving someone else’s problem-there’s a difference in wanting to help someone and feeling compelled to fix them (because otherwise, they’ll never be able to solve their problem on their own!).
2. Giving un-asked-for advice and feeling resentful if it is not heeded-it’s best to give advice only when asked, or ask the person if they want advice before making a suggestion.
3. People-pleasing for fear of not being liked. And feeling angry if we don’t receive the approval of someone else after we’ve been so nice!
4. Using guilt, shame, or manipulation to control someone else’s behavior.
5. Blaming everyone else when our efforts to fix someone else fail.
Codependent behavior can be associated with depression, anxiety, past trauma, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues. The codependent person keeps trying to feel better by fixing someone else, but it never works. Get some help if you find yourself caught in a cycle of codependent behaviors.
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