Are You Codependent? Codependency Signs and Symptoms To Look Out For
Are you constantly putting others' needs before your own? Do you have difficulty setting boundaries in your relationships? If you find yourself always seeking approval from others or feeling responsible for their emotions and wellbeing, you may be struggling with codependency. At Bianca VonBank Therapy, I often work with women struggling with codependency. If these patterns sound familiar, you're not alone, and there is support available. Learn how Therapy for Codependency in NY, NY can help you establish healthier relationship dynamics and cultivate a stronger sense of self. Wondering if you are codependent? Read on for signs and symptoms that you may be struggling with codependency.
Signs and Symptoms of Codependency
Codependency can manifest in various ways. This often makes it challenging to recognize. If left unaddressed, codependency can negatively impact your relationships and overall well-being. Here are some common signs and symptoms that may show you are struggling with codependency:
Difficulty Setting Boundaries
Women struggling with codependency often have a hard time setting healthy boundaries and limits in their relationships. This leads to feelings of being chronically overwhelmed. It can also make them feel resentful or taken advantage of.
Low Self-Esteem
Codependents tend to rely on others for a sense of purpose and self-worth, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
People-Pleasing Behavior
Constantly seeking approval from others and putting their needs above one's own is a common trait of codependency. Even when it negatively impacts their well-being. Codependents often have unrelenting irrational fears that others are upset or mad at them. They have difficulty tolerating conflict or disappointing others.
Fear of Abandonment
Codependent individuals often fear being abandoned by their loved ones. This can lead to clingy or controlling behavior in relationships.
Difficulty Expressing Needs
People struggling with codependency find it challenging to communicate their needs and desires. They often put others' needs over their own which feels safer or more comfortable for them. When needing to verbalize one’s needs, this tends to cause people with codependency distress and anxiety.
Enabling Behavior
Codependents often enable destructive behavior in others, such as substance abuse or other harmful behaviors. This is done in an attempt to maintain the relationship at any cost. Oftentimes codependents will try to control or take responsibility for the problems of others.
Lack of Identity
Those with codependency often have a weak sense of self. They may define themselves primarily through their relationships with others, rather than their own individual traits and values. I often hear women say things like “I don’t know who I am outside of being needed by others” or “I don’t know who I am outside of my relationships.” Because codependents’ focus and attention are usually focused on others, they are often not attuned to their own interests, needs, emotions, and desires.
Excessive Caretaking Tendencies
Always putting other's needs before their own, codependent individuals may find themselves in caretaker roles. They neglect their own self-care and emotional well-being in the process.
Poor Communication Patterns
Communication tends to be passive-aggressive or indirect. It can also be unclear or avoided altogether. This leads to anxiety, misunderstandings, and resentment.
Control Issues
Codependents often exhibit controlling behavior as a way to manage insecurities and emotional distress. They may do this to feel safe, feel in control in chaotic situations with loved ones that may be out of control, or maintain a sense of stability in their relationship.
Denial and Avoidance
Codependents often cope through internally rationalizing, intellectualizing, and distorting truths. They tend to deny or minimize problems within a relationship or with a loved one. This is often done because facing reality can be too painful or threatening.
How Recovery from Codependency Is Possible
Recovery from codependency is not only possible but entirely achievable with the right support and mindset. By recognizing and acknowledging the patterns of codependent behavior, women can gradually take steps toward establishing healthier boundaries. They can also build their self-esteem, and practice self-care. Through therapy, women can explore deep-rooted beliefs and emotions that drive codependency. This allows them to gain insight and tools to make positive changes in their relationships and overall well-being. With dedication and a willingness to grow, women can break free from the cycle of codependency. This can cultivate a strong sense of self. It can also nurture truly fulfilling connections with others. Recovery is a journey worth embarking on, leading to a more empowered and authentic way of living.
Move on From Codependency in New York, NY through Therapy for Codependency Today!
Are you ready to gain clarity and understanding about codependency? Here at Bianca VonBank Therapy, I am here to support you on your journey to recognizing and addressing codependent patterns in your life. Through personalized therapy sessions, you'll gain valuable insights into the signs and symptoms of codependency. You'll also learn effective coping strategies. As well as develop the tools to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being. Whether you're unsure if you're codependent, feeling overwhelmed by the needs of others, or seeking to break harmful patterns, Therapy for Codependency in New York, NY can provide the guidance and support you need. Start your path toward recognizing and addressing codependency by following the steps below:
Reach out to schedule a free, 20-minute consultation.
Speak with an understanding codependency therapist.
Recognize codependency and work towards freeing yourself of it!
Other Therapy Services Offered by Bianca VonBank Therapy in New York, NY, and Throughout NY + FL
At Bianca VonBank Therapy, I offer a range of services aimed at supporting your mental health and well-being. In addition to Therapy for Codependency in New York, NY, I provide therapy for other various concerns. These include Anxiety Treatment, Binge Eating Disorder Treatment, and Therapy for Women. Common topics addressed in therapy include body-image issues, burnout, perfectionism, and relationship issues. I am trained in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Whether you're seeking help for a specific problem or looking to enhance your overall mental wellness, I am dedicated to providing personalized and effective care to help you flourish. Reach out today to learn more about how I can help you move on from codependency!