Codependency is a very serious problem. There are psychological factors, real circumstances, the person’s history has to be taken into account and the relationships one has been in. Codependency can be easily diagnosed. If a person is not living in denial and not closed to feedback, then codependency can be easily spotted.
Here are some traits of codependency that one should always watch out for. If you know someone is codependent or you think you are indulging in codependency, then you should cautiously study all these traits of codependency and see if they are existent right now.
1. A person who is codependent will have very low self esteem. The person will always seek approval, want attention and would like to be felt needed. The person can have lots of potential or skills, professional experience or talent. Yet, the person will have low self esteem.
2. They may also be bossy. Such a person will instruct others to behave in certain ways. They will want to stay in control, of their own self and of others but they will lack the confidence to believe in their own abilities or self and they would want others to define them.
3. Codependent people always need the approval, attention and importance from others.
4. Codependent people try very hard to please other people, even when they don’t have to.
5. Codependent people will also take care of everyone around. These traits of codependency stem from the same need to feel needed, to be important and acknowledged by others.
6. In this entire process, the codependent person becomes reactive to others. While being proactive to help others, the person doesn’t care about his or her own self.
7. Naturally, personal interests take a back seat and the relationship becomes exploitative for the codependent person, even though it is the codependent person being the bossy one and being in control of others.
8. Codependent people will have strong emotions but they will be emotionally vulnerable. They will need relations and people to make their selves worthwhile.
9. They may excel on their own but they would not give that a try. They will base their entire existence on the mere fact that others are with them.
10. Codependents will also be dependent on some kind of way out, which could be alcohol or any type of personality disorder that would be a natural byproduct of codependency.
Codependents will live in denial for as long as they can. Even if they do realize the traits of codependency, they would stick to their existing problems instead of getting away or confronting them.