The Savior Complex: An Honest Look At Your Toxic Codependence
And what you can do to overcome it
Have you ever felt like you were responsible for the success and well-being of another grown adult? Like this other person really needed your help, and if it weren’t for you, they would be in a lot of trouble, unable to take care of themselves?
Have you felt like you had to save them? And if none of your efforts worked and the person continued down the path of self-destruction, have you felt in denial about it?
Originally, the term “codependency” was associated exclusively with partners of alcoholics, who often stayed in the dysfunctional relationship despite the massive damage the addiction caused, in the hopes of “fixing” their spouse.
However, over time the meaning of the term has been extended to describe an individual with a tendency to remain in unhealthy, one-sided relationships, where they cater to their partner’s needs without regard to their own, thus enabling his or her toxic behavior, be it abuse, addiction, or general underachievement.
The overarching principle of codependence is the keen, undiverted focus on another person. A codependent person constantly analyzes others, blaming them for his own problems, all the while trying to solve theirs.
