SECTION I Introduction

Co-dependency, or emotional dependence, is a hot topic in psychoanalytic discussion. As mental illness has lost a great deal of the stigma it once held, it has become almost trendy. More and more frequently I hear the term used at large, as though it is the popular new dysfunction to have, and it is even the focus of the latest self-help books. Since co-dependency almost seems to be out-running depression in the race for the most desirable affliction, I pause to consider what I actually know about it. At present, I understand the term to refer to a way of life in which an individual is emotionally dependent upon another person. Co-dependency can affect the self-esteem of the individual and interfere in normal functioning.

But, what is the hard definition of co-dependency? Does it really exist? If so, who is it most likely to affect? What are its causes and symptoms, and is there a cure? My research on the topic of co-dependency is done with the intention of satisfying my own curiosity and making information available to others who share my interest or are concerned that they, or those they love, show signs of the syndrome.

SECTION I-B Keywords

UNC Library Catalog:
Dependency NOT chemical
Dependency AND psycholo? NOT substance
Co-dependency AND family

Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe:
Co-dependency OR (emotional dependency)
Mental health AND (only child)
Codependen! OR co-dependen!
Self esteem OR self-esteem

Search engine on Web: <http://www.google.com>
(Emotional dependency) NOT addiction
(Only child) AND co-dependency
Co-dependency w/10 wom*n

SECTION II

UNC libraries print sources:

Orbach, Susie; Eichenbaum, Luise. What do women want? London : HarperCollins, 1994. HQ1206 .O7432 2000

Rice, John Steadman. A disease of one's own : psychotherapy, addiction, and the emergence of co-dependency. New Brunswick, NJ : Transaction Publishers, 1996. RC569.5.C63 R5

UNC libraries non-paper source:

*1990. Co-dependency. Concept Media. Family Systems, Inc. Videocassette.

SECTION III

*ANN. (1997). Four coping tools that co-dependents need. (25 Proven Approaches to 25 Everyday Addiction-Counseling Problems, part 10). The Addiction Letter [Online], 6 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac Student Edition/A10383210 [2002, February 1].

*(1990, October). Codependency. (premise that everyone in an alcoholic's family is diseased finds large segment of population is mentally ill). The University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter [Online], 7 paragraphs. Available: InfoTrac Student Edition/A8947862 [2002, February 1].

Granello, Darcy Haag; Beamish, Patricia M. (1998, October). Reconceptualizing Codependency in Women: A Sense of Connectedness, Not Pathology. Journal of Mental Health Counseling [Online], 15 paragraphs. Available: Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition [2002, February 1].

Gorski, Terence T. (1992, November-December). Diagnosing codependence: a practical guide to understanding and treatment. Addiction & Recovery [Online], 3 pages. Available: InfoTrac Student Edition/A13360084 [2002, February 1].

O'Neill, Jaime (1992, June 14). Are you co-dependent? Yes, you are! San Francisco Chronicle [Online], p. 90(2p). Available: Health Source: Consumer Edition/9312031704 [2002, February 1].

Upton, Tabi. (2001, November 8). Codependency can be recipe for burnout, stress.
Chattanooga Times/Chattanooga Free Press [Online], p. E1(714 words). Available: Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [2002, February 1].

SECTION IV

1. Title: Co-dependency
Web address: http://www.addictionrecov.org/paradigm/P_PR_SP98/Lavick.html
Brief description: Co-dependency is actually an addictive process that, if left untreated, can result in other disorders. Gives a brief description of co-dependency. Lists 10 characteristics of co-dependent people. Family members play a role in both sustaining the co-dependency and helping to heal it, and are likely co-dependent themselves. The children within these families often take on different roles to deal with the problem.
Source of Web Site: Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital

2. Title: Co-dependency
Web address: http://www.planetpsych.com/zPsychology_101/codependency.htm
Brief description: Co-dependency is compiled of a wide range of feelings, mostly focusing on another person. Gives a brief description of what feelings co-dependents live with, how they got that way, and what kind of relationships they're usually in. Also gives a detailed 12-step therapeutic program outlined by CODA - Co-Dependents Anonymous.
Source of Web Site: PlanetPsych.com

3. Title: Early Experience Sets Template for Dependence in Women
Web address: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/newsrelease/early12-10-99.cfm
Brief description: The need for women to rely on the acceptance of others for their own self-esteem is developed before adulthood. Emotional dependency is also linked with depression. Dependency is found frequently in married couples, and males are more prone to it. Females who are highly educated are less likely to be emotionally dependent.
Source of Web site: Health Behavior News Service

4. Title: Dependency and Conformity - Psychological Self-Help
Web address: http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap8/
Brief description: Thorough description on what dependency is and how it manifests itself in various relationships. Also discusses how women are socialized into certain roles, which contributes to low self-esteem and dependency. Also discusses several in-depth coping abilities.
Source of Web site: Clayton Tucker-Ladd and Mental Health Net

5. Title: General Mental Health Issues: Co-Dependency
Web address: http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/43.cfm
Brief description: Co-dependency was originally a term used to describe people who with an addiction (even socially), in relationships with dependent people, or people who were addicted to their relationships. Dependency often stems from a dysfunctional family or abuse. Provides a description of the characteristics of an emotionally dependent person, how the problem is treated and how to deal with it in one's home.
Source of Web site: National Mental Health Association

SECTION V Mini-Essay

What is Co-Dependency?

Co-dependency was first discovered roughly 15 years ago and refers to the relationship an individual has with another person (2). That other person and his or her problems become the focus of the individual to such a great degree that it causes the individual to lose his or her own sense of self, sacrifice his or her own needs, have low self-esteem and become passive as he or she tries to be the care-giver (1, 2, 4). The relationship is often one-sided, abusive, and emotionally destructive (2).

Co-dependency is most often thought to relate to the family members of alcoholics or other substance abusers, or to someone living in a home where his or her emotional needs were not met (2, 4). However, some psychoanalysts hypothesize that women can be singled out because society simply socializes them into being emotionally reliant on men (5, 6). Studies show that women who are more highly educated are less likely to be co-dependent (6).

The symptoms of co-dependency are many. Those who suffer from it often become almost obsessed with another person and heavily involved that person's problems, trying to control that person's actions out of fear of abandonment and need for approval (1). While this constant attention to another human being makes them feel complete, they actually lose a great deal of their sense of self, which increases the desperate need to maintain the relationship (2). Their focus on the other person isolates them from others, and as they lose their identity their self-esteem drops and they often feel worthless without the other person (1, 4).

Fortunately, through therapy, co-dependency can be treated. Setting boundaries is very important, as is letting go of control over the other person's problems (4). As the individual becomes more selfish and self-aware, his or her own needs and wants resurface, as do feelings of self-worth (4). Some therapists recommend a 12-step program for help or Co-Dependents Anonymous, a support group that can be found around the country (1).

As serious a problem as it seems to be, people are still skeptical about the existence of co-dependency as an actual syndrome. Some say that co-dependency is a natural occurrence found within all relationships, and that the mental health professionals are just looking to make more money (3). Though this may be the case, there is evidence of dependency at levels considered higher than normal frequently found within people who share similar backgrounds.

NOTES:

(1) Lavick, Vicki. (1998). Co-dependency: a Look at the Disease and Recovery [Online]. Available: http://www.addictionrecov.org/paradigm/P_PR_SP98/Lavick.html [2002, February 1]. Gives a definition of the disease, its characteristics and its diagnosis.

(2) National Mental Health Association. (1997). General Mental Health Issues: Co-Dependency [Online]. Available: http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/43.cfm [2002, February 1]. Describes what kinds of people are co-dependent and their characteristics and how to treat them.

(3) O'Neill, Jaime (1992, June 14). Are you co-dependent? Yes, you are! San Francisco Chronicle [Online], p. 90(2p). Available: Health Source: Consumer Edition/9312031704 [2002, February 1]. Feels that co-dependency doesn't actually exist and was concocted by those involved in psychiatric work to influence more people to see therapists.

(4) Simko, Patty. (1999). Co-dependency [Online]. Available: http://www.planetpsych.com/zPsychology_101/codependency.htm [2002, February 1]. Defines co-dependency, gives a brief description of life with the affliction and some treatment suggestions.

(5) Tucker-Ladd, Clayton E. (2000). Dependency and Conformity [Online]. Available: http://www.mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap8/ [2002, February 1]. Some amount of dependency is all right, yet society may create co-dependent women by defining men as superior.

(6) Turner, Heather A. (1999). Early Experience Sets Template for Dependency in Women [Online]. Available: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/newsrelease/early12-10-99.cfm [2002, February 1]. Women are more likely to be co-dependent, but those who are more educated are less likely to be.