explain it to me: codependency edition

Definition: "excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, typically one who requires support on account of an illness or addiction". Also, "...a relationship that enables another person to maintain their irresponsible, addictive, or underachieving behavior"

How does it show up?
Low self-esteem, people pleasing, poor boundaries, high reactivity, care taking, searching for control, dysfunctional communications, obsessions, denial, intimacy problems, painful emotions. 

Questions you can ask yourself: 
~Do you expend all of your energy in meeting your partner’s needs?
~Do you feel trapped in your relationship?
~Are you the one that is constantly making sacrifices in your relationship?

If you answered "yes" to these questions you might be in a codependent relationship.

How can I do damage control on it?
~Relaxation is paramount - closing your eyes and relaxing each body part from your toes to your nose! Get a mindfulness/meditation app (I recommend insight timer).
~Turn your focus on yourself, remember that you are as important as your partner. 
~Get professional help! 


Sources:
~https://psychcentral.com/lib/symptoms-of-codependency/
~https://positivepsychology.com/codependency-definition-signs-worksheets/
~https://www.dummies.com/health/mental-health/codependency-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

Resources For Getting Help:
~https://coda.org
~https://positivepsychology.com/codependency-definition-signs-worksheets/