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Codependency Isn’t Just About Being Alone — It’s a Family System Issue
The Myth of “Alone Phobia”
A recent article, “Codependence Needs a New Name: Being Alone Phobia” — explored the idea that those struggling with codependent tendencies are simply afraid of being alone. While this perspective touches on an important aspect of codependency, it oversimplifies a much deeper issue.
If you’ve ever worried that someone you love is “too dependent” on their relationships, you’re not alone. Maybe it’s a child who can’t seem to make a decision without their partner. A sibling who jumps from one toxic relationship to another. A parent who sacrifices everything for their spouse, even their own well-being.
Codependency is often framed as an individual issue, something that needs to be “fixed” by learning how to be alone. But that’s only scratching the surface. The truth? Codependency isn’t just about avoiding loneliness — it’s about survival. And that survival strategy is often learned within the family system.
Why Codependency Is a Family Issue
“I Just Want Them to Be Okay”
I’ve worked with so many parents who are heartbroken over a child stuck in unhealthy relationships. The frustration is real: Why can’t they just see…
