How to Set Healthy Boundaries and Reduce High-Functioning Codependency

The line between care/kindness and codependency can often be blurred. How do you really know if you’ve become overly invested in people's lives? When do you know if it’s gotten to unhealthy levels? A great first question to ask yourself is, “Am I always the one available to help and fix other people’s problems even when they don’t ask me to?” Do you sometimes put in extra hours at work or on weekends just to cover for your colleagues? And do you have trouble saying no?    These are all good indicators that you have poor boundaries. If you feel overly compelled to step in and ‘save’ the situation, you might have high-functioning codependency. The definition of high-functioning codependency is a behavior characterized by blurred boundaries and an imbalance in relationships. The person usually feels responsible, or takes on responsibility, for the other person’s needs, and then they try to control all aspects of the relationship.    If you’re 100% focused on other people and not on yourself, it is understandable that this can take a serious toll on your own mental health. Psychotherapist Terri Cole believes we all fall under some form of the codependency spectrum because codependency is a shared human experience. With this being said, codependency is more often seen in women than it is in men because of the social roles they end up in.    Continue Your Growth Journey: Kaminiwood.com