Kasl defines the codependent person as "someone whose core identity is underdeveloped or unknown, and who maintains a false identity built from dependent attachments to external sources -- a partner, a spouse, family, appearances, work or rules.
The codependent person may become cynical, bitter, withdrawn, feeling like a persona non grata, lonely, and avoided as others decide that one is: The most bossy, know it all; manipulative, busy-body; officious; life of the party (but not in a good way); wasteful (giving pearls/or baths in a pig pen), unreasonably caring, not correctly analyzing the situation.
Dr. Pinsky described himself as a codependent personality with a perfectionist streak.
But it's also hard because I'm completely codependent personally and professionally.
As for codependent personally, she explained that over lunch another day.
In this interpersonal codependency, the codependent has become so elaborately enmeshed in the other person that the sense of self - personal identity - is severely restricted, crowded out by that other person's identity and problems.
(and generally, most folks will choose to get healthier, thus making the whole thing less codependent) If the other person does not come to respect your needs and/or growth, however, the healthiest choice is to maintain your boundaries.
How many times have we heard a cry of exasperation, "I'm so codependent!" when in fact the person is actually doing some 'garden variety' enabling, which ironically enough is another term which has become muddled in its meaning.
This addiction is sometimes so strong, the codependent will cause the other person to continue to be needy.
