#Separate but equal definition warning how to#

Ignore their own morals or conscience to do what the other person wants.Feel guilty about thinking of themselves in the relationship and will not express any personal needs or desires.Use all their time and energy to give their partner everything they ask for.Feel constant anxiety about their relationship due to their desire to always be making the other person happy.Do anything to please and satisfy their enabler no matter what the expense to themselves.Stay in the relationship even if they are aware that their partner does hurtful things.Find no satisfaction or happiness in life outside of doing things for the other person.But, a person who is codependent will usually: It can be hard to distinguish between a person who is codependent and one who is just clingy or very enamored with another person.

#Separate but equal definition warning how to#

A person who relies upon a codependent does not learn how to have an equal, two-sided relationship and often comes to rely upon another person’s sacrifices and neediness. The enabler’s role is also dysfunctional. Their extreme dedication to this one person may cause damage to: A codependent person will neglect other important areas of their life to please their partner. They may have difficulty recognizing their own feelings or needs at all. They feel they must be needed by this other person to have any purpose.ĭependent: Both parties make their relationship a priority, but can find joy in outside interests, other friends, and hobbies.Ĭodependent: The codependent has no personal identity, interests, or values outside of their codependent relationship.ĭependent: Both people can express their emotions and needs and find ways to make the relationship beneficial for both of them.Ĭodependent: One person feels that their desires and needs are unimportant and will not express them. The codependent is only happy when making extreme sacrifices for their partner. The enabler gets satisfaction from getting their every need met by the other person. Both find value in the relationship.Ĭodependent: The codependent person feels worthless unless they are needed by - and making drastic sacrifices for - the enabler.

The following are some examples that illustrate the difference:ĭependent: Two people rely on each other for support and love. It is important to know the difference between depending on another person - which can be a positive and desirable trait - and codependency, which is harmful. Share on Pinterest In codependency, one person has their needs prioritised over the other’s.