CO-DEPENDENCY IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP-A LEARNED BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

The present paper is structured as a theoretical article, explaining the paradigm codependency in intimate relationship, analysing the symptoms of co-dependency and suggesting cognitive-behaviour therapeutic ways of healing from co-dependency. The psychological premise of this approach is that co-dependency is a learned behaviour. The early life scenarios of co-dependents encompass actions of our parents displaying problems with boundaries, and unhealthy ways to communicate, so the most likely learned these behaviours and brought them into their intimate relationships. Children who grow up with emotionally unavailable parents also are at risk for being co-dependent. They often find themselves in relationships where their partner is emotionally unavailable, yet they stay in the hopes that they can change the person. The list of symptoms of co-dependency and being in a codependent relationship includes: low-self-esteem, reactivity, caretaking, control, dysfunctional communication, obsessions, dependency, denial, problems with intimacy and painful emotions.