Co-dependency is treatable, and with the appropriate treatment there is hope for individuals that are struggling with this disorder.

• Difficulty having fun.
• Hyper-sensitivity to criticism.
• Rigidity and need to control.
• Constant seeking of approval and affirmation, yet having a compromised sense of self.
• Lack of self confidence in making decisions; no sense of power in making choices.
• Isolation and fear of people, resentment of authority figures.
• Dependency upon others and fear of abandonment.
• Tendency to look for “others” to care for or fix.
• Confusion and sense of inadequacy.
• Belief that others cause our emotions.

Before receiving treatment for codependency, a person must realize that codependency treatment involves the deep exploration into early childhood issues and their relationships and current codependent actions and behaviors. There are two main approaches to receiving treatment for codependency: self-help, and psychotherapy.

Codependents Anonymous is an example of a self-help group program for recovery from codependency, using a 12-step model. Individual psychotherapy has been known to benefit a person who is in need of a more private and professional treatment setting, allowing for the exploration into other personal issues.

Checklist for Co-dependency

• Do you feel insecure and guilty when someone gives to you?
• Do you feel compelled to help people solve their problems or by trying to take care of their feelings?
• Do you feel responsible for other people – their feelings, thoughts, actions, choices, wants, needs, well- being and destiny?
• Do you find it easier to feel and express anger about injustices done to others than about injustices done to you?
• Do you feel empty, bored and worthless if you don’t have someone else to take care of, a problem to solve, or a crisis to deal with?
• Are you often unable to stop talking, thinking and worrying about other people and their problems?
• Do you lose interest in your own life when you are in love?
• Do you stay in relationships that don’t work and tolerate abuse in order to keep people loving you?
• Do you leave bad relationships only to form new ones that don’t work, either?

Codependency (one form of relationship addiction) touches many of our lives to one degree or another. The codependent person bases their identity and personal value on their ability to perform and please others rather than on their own identity and destiny. Some characteristics of codependency include these: