Co-dependency, at its core, is an unhealthy relational dynamic where one person excessively relies on another to meet their emotional, psychological, and even physical needs. This reliance often becomes so habitual that it distorts the individual’s sense of identity and autonomy. It’s a form of emotional enmeshment, where boundaries are blurred, leading to a loss of self and the perpetuation of toxic relationships. Co-dependency isn’t merely about wanting to be close to someone. It’s about a pathological need to control or be controlled. This relationship pattern is often masked as care or love, but in reality, it’s a destructive fusion that undermines the well-being of both parties involved. At the heart of co-dependency is an unhealthy exchange. One person derives a sense of purpose by rescuing, fixing, or enabling the other, while the other person depends on this attention to function. It creates a cycle of neediness and false validation, trapping both individuals in a cycle that ne