Expert shares 5 warning signs you’re in a codependent relationship
Expert Ness Cooper shares 5 ways you can recognise you’re in a codependent relationship.
They push boundaries
If you’re in a codependent relationship, your partner will often push your boundaries and have you questioning your beliefs, while simultaneously expecting you to conform to theirs.
They put you down often
People who engage in unhealthy codependency will often start taking control of the situation early on with comments that will put you down. They may pick apart and criticise even the tiniest things, like what you wear or even the food you pick for date night.
They lie to get their own way
If their lying is more than just a slip of the tongue and happening regularly, particularly when used to control other parts of your relationship, then this is a major red flag that you’re in an unhealthy codependent relationship.
They always put the blame on you
Often they will blame you for things that aren’t your fault and find issues with your efforts to please them, rather than thank you as they should in a healthy relationship.
This often has a very negative impact on your self-esteem, and can make it harder to leave the relationship even early on.
They constantly check in on you
Your partner may try to control your schedule and closely monitor your actions. Even if you’re doing a task they asked you to do, you may find your phone buzzing non-stop with texts checking where you are and how long you’ll be.
This can cause feelings of panic, and a sense of pressure to always live up to their expectations.
Relationships expert shares how to free yourself from a codependent relationship
Relationship expert Ness shares, “To avoid your relationship becoming codependent in the first place, try to both maintain an individual sense of self apart from each other, and connect positively with your partner.”
Discovering ways to satisfy your own needs and find pleasure alone can be a huge confidence boost, and help you find freedom from an unhealthy relationship.
