About Codependency

Select the chip to return to the main navigation page.
[book search]

| About Codependency | Signs and Symptoms of Codependency |Codependency Books |
| Addictions and Codependency | Codependency Recovery | Boundaries |
| CODA Homepage| Order "Codependent No More" |
| Find a Coda Meeting |

What is Codependency?

Codependent Personality Disorder is a dysfunctional relationship with the self characterized by living through or for another, attempts to control others, blaming others, a sense of victimization, attempts to "fix" others, and intense anxiety around intimacy. It is very common in people raised in dysfunctional families, and in the partners and children of alcoholics and addicts.  Most chemical dependency treatment centers now also offer treatment for Codependency.

Physical and Emotional Consequences of Codependency:

Emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, relationship dysfunctions, and cycling between hyperactivity / lethargy are evident in many codependents.

Physical problems often result from untreated codependency. These may include: gastro-intestinal disturbances, colitis, ulcers, migraine headaches, non-specific rashes and skin problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, sleep disorders, and other stress related physical illnesses. 

Read about the characteristics and symptoms of codependency.

More about Codependency:

The following excerpt from the book The Emotionally Abused Woman: Overcoming Destructive Patterns and Reclaiming Yourself gives additional information about the dilemma of codependency.  The book is by Beverly Engel, MFCC. It was published in 1990 by Ballantine Books. (Despite the gender specific terminology - this applies to both sexes.)

"The irony is that as much as a "codependent" feels responsibility for others and takes care of others, she believes deep down that other people are responsible for her. She blames others for her unhappiness and problems, and feels that it's other people's fault that she's unhappy.

Another irony is that while she feels controlled by people and events, she herself is overly controlling. She is afraid of allowing other people to be who they are and of allowing events to happen naturally.  An expert in knowing best how things should turn out and how people should behave, the codependent person tries to control others through threats, coercion, advice giving, helplessness, guilt, manipulation, or domination."

Codependency Links:

St John's Medical Center definition and symptoms of codependency 

| About Codependency | Signs and Symptoms of Codependency |Codependency Books |
| Addictions and Codependency | Codependency Recovery | Boundaries |
| CODA Homepage| Order "Codependent No More" |
| Find a Coda Meeting |

Go to Top of Page.

| Do you have an Alcohol or Drug problem? |
| Homepage | Chemical Dependency |AA|CMA|Sexual Recovery |Trauma Recovery | Recovery Links |
| Meeting Finder | Love Addiction | Denial | Codependency |Abusive Relationships |
|Search for Treatment |

We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation

Note on Authorship: this website was created by a recovering addict and survivor; I am not a chemical dependency therapist or mental health professional. Except as otherwise cited, opinions offered here are the result of my own life experience and a great deal of reading in the Recovery and Mental Health fields.  You may cite this site for academic reference, however in keeping with twelve step traditions regarding anonymity I request you identify the author as "Will H. - RecoveryMan.com Webmaster" 

Email Contact Info - Email the Recovery Man Webmaster

Privacy Policy: Email correspondence with this site is confidential, and will not be distributed or shared in any form. Entries in guestbooks and forums are attributed with information as supplied by the visitor, the site's author and host are not responsible for the accuracy of information supplied by our visitors. 

Advertising and Sponsorship: This site accepts NO paid advertising revenue, nor are we sponsored by any commercial entity. Details of our association with amazon.com can be found here.  Hosting for this site is donated by the author.    

Medical Policy: This site is based on twelve step programs of recovery - the information here is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to supplant or replace consultation with qualified medical professionals.    

Updated: 11/15/2007