What does a co-dependant relationship mean?
There are many definitions used to talk about codependency today. The original concept of codependency was developed to acknowledge the responses and behaviors people develop from living with an alcoholic or substance abuser. A number of attributes can be developed as a result of those conditions. However, over the years, codependency has expanded into a definition which describes a dysfunctional pattern of living and problem solving developed during childhood by family rules. One of many definitions of codependency is: a set of *maladaptive, *compulsive behaviors learned by family members in order to survive in a family which is experiencing *great emotional pain and stress. *maladaptive – inability for a person to develop behaviors which get needs met. *compulsive – psychological state where a person acts against their own will or conscious desires in which to behave. *sources of great emotional pain and stress – chemical dependency; chronic mental illness; chronic physical illness;
