Codependency can have a lot of negative effects on our overall mental health. Being involved in this kind of relationship may have some benefits, but there are also many negative aspects to look out for. This can apply to relationships with significant others, friends, family, or any other kind of relationship you have. It is essential to understand the effects these relationships can have on an individual and watch out for their warning signs.
What Is Codependency?
Codependency is a term for having an overall reliance or dependence on one individual to fulfill your own mental and physical needs. Relying on a specific person for your decision-making, reassurance, and success puts a lot of strain on the relationship and the person who is being relied on. When both individuals in a relationship are codependent, they may feel that they cannot do anything without each other’s company.
This state of dependence draws you away from individuality and the ability to care for yourself. Getting into a codependent relationship can reduce your self-esteem drastically and leave you feeling alone. It is important to stop yourself from engaging in these forms of relationships before they take over your ability to function independently. The mental state of codependency can become addictive and difficult to turn away from after long-term engagement.
Codependency in Couples
Codependency is most frequently observed in couples. After dating for an extended period, some people fall into the state of believing they could not live without their significant other. While it can be good to feel love for another person, it can be very problematic if you cannot love yourself in the process. Having the ability to make yourself happy without your significant other involved is essential. The same applies to very close friendships.
Relationships in which each individual adds to the other’s happiness and success, but is not solely responsible for it, are ideal. If the relationship doesn’t work out, you don’t want to be fully dependent on your now ex-partner for your happiness and will to live. If you are, then once the relationship disappears, those feelings disappear as well. Reminding yourself that you can live a good life alone if need be will help you build confidence in yourself and your ability to create happiness.
Codependency in Families
We often think of codependency in terms of romantic relationships or friendships. However, it can occur in relationships within your family as well. For example, if you rely on your parent to support you financially to ensure you make rent every month, you are dependent on them to be there for you. It is crucial to make sure you take care of yourself and not rely on your family to keep you afloat.
This can also be the case the other way around. Your parent or sibling may make you feel guilty if you don’t visit frequently. You may try to stop by when you have the opportunity, but feeling pressure to do so can negatively affect you.
Mental Health Effects
Engagement in a codependent relationship for long periods can have many negative effects on your mental health. One of the most significant mental effects is a drastic decrease in self-esteem. Being put down in your relationships or feeling obligated to engage in certain aspects can lower your confidence, making some encounters dreadful. This can eventually lead to more significant symptoms of depression.
After being in a codependent relationship, you often lose a sense of self. You become a part of the other individual involved and stray away from who you are as an individual. Many people who struggle through codependent relationships find themselves pretending to be someone they aren’t and feel a sense of loneliness unlike anything they had ever experienced.
Signs of Codependent Relationships
There are many signs that can indicate codependent partners. If you find that you or your significant other cannot attend a social setting without the other, that is one of the first signs of codependency. It is nice to spend time together whenever you have the opportunity, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you cannot go anywhere without your partner, that will strain your self-confidence and create separation anxiety.
Signs of extreme jealousy are also essential traits to watch out for. If one person refuses to let you engage in activities you desire to indulge in because they are worried, that can be indicative of a very unhealthy relationship. This ties back into social situations. For example, if your partner does not trust you to go out with your friends for a night without them, there is most likely a more extensive issue needing to be resolved.
These situations can happen with friends, family, or anyone else you know. If you notice anyone in your close circle that frequently brings down your self-esteem, and you feel like you cannot step away, you might want to consider the possibility that they are dependent on you and alter the situation before it takes a toll on your mental health.
Codependent relationships can have many long-term effects on your mental health. There are various forms of codependent relationships and signs to watch for to recognize if you are involved in this kind of relationship. These relationships can be between significant others, parents, children, friends, or anyone close to you. Engagement in these relationships for an extended period can drastically lower your self-esteem, diminish your confidence, cause you to feel alone, bring on symptoms of depression, and ultimately force you into a state of losing who you are as an individual. The mental health effects of codependency can be difficult to recognize and even harder to get out of. It is essential to be aware of the signs of these toxic relationships before you find yourself consistently engaging in one. To learn more about the mental health effects of codependent relationships and how to disengage, reach out to Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.