How To Tell if You’re in a Codependent Relationship—And Turn It Into a Healthy, Interdependent One

This can greatly damage both partners self-esteem and sense of personal autonomy.

Codependency is more like a messy jumble of yarn, so those two lines dont ever separateormove together smoothly.

Indeed, codependent individuals may use manipulative tactics such as guilt-tripping an S.O.

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How to overcome codependency in relationships

To do this, McGinty recommends being totally transparent by outlining the dynamic and defining what needs to change.

That means enriching your independent life outside of your relationship.

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully

If you could, seek help from a licensed couples therapist.

This will inevitably involve openness and honesty about the codependent dynamic, says Dr. Witmer.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

(If the partner does offer such unending validation and support, theyre likely enabling the codependent behaviors.)

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While they may result in similar behaviors, being clingy and being codependent arent quite the same thing.

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Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully

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Courtesy Berkley Publishing