What is Emotional Dependency

Have you heard of Emotional Dependency?

In most healthy relationships, it is normal for one of the partners to show more love and affection than the other. There is no need to worry, and in fact, this is normal and it is definitely expected that there are some asymmetries in such a relationship: each person is unique.

However, like any psychological phenomenon, if psychological help is needed and the display of love is taken to the extreme, problems arise. So, in such cases, what is known as emotional dependence often occurs, which is a common problem in people who decide to participate in therapy.

Let’s see what it is and what can be done to overcome this problem. Here are the keys to learning how to identify and deal with emotional dependence.

What is emotional dependency?

Emotional dependence is an overriding need for love, affection, and constant availability that some people feel with respect for someone with whom they have formed an emotional relationship. Usually, their romantic partner, their Relationships and their social life, and their own well-being are damaged in the medium and long term.

Furthermore, emotional dependence is not a sign of who to relate to when choosing high-level inconsistencies. Conversely: even if the individual feels frustrated and dissatisfied because he is not getting all the emotional support he needs, awareness of the problem is more likely to break him. Scares, Therefore, people who are emotionally dependent are above other very important aspects of their lives.

On the other hand, emotional dependence should not be confused with what is known as “psychological dependence”, which is used to refer to matters of a habit. Those who have developed this class feel that they need to be satisfied again and again; the desire to use drugs or take special action. However, emotional dependence is expressed in more subtle ways, not by repeatedly exposing the kind of experience (smoking, shooting), but by creating a situation that creates the fear that the other person will abandon us or leave us to count.

Emotional dependence is on ideas that are more abstract than psychological dependence, and individualistic roles are also rare. Here’s What is Self Awareness and Why is it so Important?

Possible reasons for Emotional Dependency:

These are the most common causes of emotional dependence. In practice, they often overlap with each other in an effort to influence others.

1. Low self-esteem:

Low self-esteem tends to be negative thoughts and emotions, and in this case, a feeling of inferiority in front of the other member of the couple.

2. Fear based on painful experiences:

This problem can be facilitated by past abuse as well as a lack of love, communication, and affection from the person’s parents. This is called an insecure attachment.

3. Lack of social skills:

Deficits in social skills are often associated with fear of loneliness, which leads one to believe that they will not get new opportunities to have a close relationship with anyone.

4. External pressure:

All sorts of expectations, and even gender roles, can help a person to believe and feel that the reason for their existence is to be with their partner and make every effort to ensure that they are with him.

How to detect it: Warning signs of Emotional Dependency:

These are just some of the goal-setting techniques that you can use.

1. Normalizing insults:

People who are emotionally dependent on their peers can tolerate abuse, humiliation, or abuse of power by them.

2. Issues of jealousy:

Unwarranted jealousy is also common. However, these do not usually take the form of attempts to control the other person, but rather more cautious ways of expressing distress: for example, a passive-aggressive behavior.

3. Weakening the rest of social relations:

People who have created emotional dependence stop wasting time and effort to develop friendships outside of this relationship because they put the other person first and try to be happy with the promises they make. Has nothing to do with

4. Feelings of emptiness and helplessness:

Emotional dependence can be thought of as an attempt to fill a void through the presence of another person. People with this psychological tendency notice that their lives would be meaningless without this relationship and as a result they are at greater risk because their ability to be happy essentially depends on the same person.

5. Appearance of anxiety and stress:

The fact that you often feel that you are risking losing a relationship can lead to a number of associated symptoms: anxiety, trouble sleeping, concentrating, and so on. Here’re the Psychological Tips to Relieve Stress and Anxiety.

How to manage Emotional Dependency?

The best and most recommended way to deal with emotional dependence is to go to a psychologist. Psych has many useful psychological resources to help you better manage your emotions and personal relationships. However, there are some simple tips that can help with this problem. These are as follows.

1. Make sure you’re not going through an abuse situation:

First, check that what is happening to you is not being abused. If repeated attacks of a physical or psychological nature occur, it is important to end the relationship as soon as possible and not try to fix it: in such cases, your safety and well-being come first. But keep in mind you are the only person that can handle the situation better than anybody else and you can make the best decision.

2. Find out the recurring situation in which you give too much:

Over the course of a week, write down in a small notebook all the occasions in which you feel you have paid too much for the last few hours for fear of losing that person. When you arrive on the seventh day, take a look at what you are writing.

3. Make sure you maintain a vibrant and diverse social life:

If you isolate yourself as much as possible due to emotional dependence, you will become more and more dependent on that person. This is a vicious circle that you are not interested in feeding. To avoid this, set aside at least monthly or weekly hours to talk face-to-face with friends, acquaintances, and other people who are important to you.

4. Start personal projects:

Dedicating a portion of your time to something that only concerns you and that will give you satisfaction through short and long-term goals, is a good way to adopt your own outlook on life. Moreover, there is a way, not just what is connected to the person who does or thinks of someone else.

5. Confirmation of practice:

Getting into the habit of defending your interests and your point of view in a relationship with this person will help prevent the idea that they will continue to play an important role in all conversations with you and with certain things. Furthermore, it will also show that there is nothing wrong with expressing your disagreement.

If a few weeks pass and you find that nothing has changed, or if you feel very bad and need help as soon as possible, contact a psychiatrist. Emotional dependency can be treated with psychotherapy in a better way.

In the process, the professional identifies the personal and related reasons behind the dependence and plans emotional and behavioral “training” to gain autonomy and strengthen self-confidence.

Note:

Awareness of Emotional Dependence is indeed necessary. This article is a researched-based article that explores how to overcome emotional dependency and to increase your knowledge and inspire you. In case of any stern issue, consult a psychologist before taking any action.

Are you too Emotionally Dependent on your life partner?

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