Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewInterdependence vs. CodependenceCharacteristicsBuilding Interdependent RelationshipsNext in Working On It GuideHow #CoupleGoals Affect Our Relationships

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Table of Contents

Overview

Interdependence vs. Codependence

Characteristics

Building Interdependent Relationships

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Most of us value connection with others, especially in ourromantic relationships. In fact, we are wired for connection and it allows us to create bonds and intimacy with our partner. The success of long-term relationships depends heavily on the quality of our emotional connection with each other.When we think of our ideal relationships we often think of a wonderful, close, lifelong relationship with our most important person. How do we build that kind of relationship? That cozy, safe, long-term bond with someone who we know has our back for the long haul? A relationship that gives us the freedom to be ourselves, that supports our growth and allows us to have flexibility with each other?One of the key elements is understanding the difference between interdependence and codependence.How to Spot the Signs of CodependencyWhat Is Interdependence?Interdependence (or interdependency) suggests that partners recognize and value the importance of the emotional bond they share while maintaining a solid sense of self within the relationship dynamic.An interdependent person recognizes the value of vulnerability, being able to turn to their partner in meaningful ways to create emotional intimacy. They also value a sense of self that allows them and their partner to be themselves without any need to compromise who they are or their values system.Being dependent on another person can sound scary or even unhealthy. Growing up, we are often taught an over-inflated value of independence, to be somewhat self-contained, with a high value placed on not needing others for emotional support.As valuable as having a sense of independence is, taken to an extreme, this can actually get in the way of us being able to connect emotionally with others in a meaningful way. Emotional intimacy with a partner can be difficult to achieve, even scary or not seen as particularly valuable in a relationship, for those who have an extraordinary sense ofindependence.Navigating a New Relationship During the HolidaysInterdependence Is Not CodependenceInterdependence is not the same thing as being codependent. A codependent person tends to rely heavily on others for their sense of self and well-being. There is no ability for that person to distinguish where they end and their partner begins, there is an enmeshed sense of responsibility to another person to meet their needs and/or for their partner to meet all of their needs to feel okay about who they are.Traits of a codependent relationship include things like:Poor/no boundariesPeople-pleasing behaviorsReactivityUnhealthy, ineffective communicationManipulationDifficulty with emotionalintimacyControlling behaviorsBlaming each otherLow self-esteem of one or both partnersNo personal interests or goals outside the relationshipCodependent relationshipsare not healthy and do not allow partners room to be themselves, to grow, and to be autonomous. These unhealthy relationships involve one or both partners relying heavily on the other and the relationship for their sense of self, feelings of worthiness, and overall emotional well-being. There are often feelings of guilt andshamefor one or both partners when the relationship is not going well.Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT[Codependency involves] someone who has lost their core sense of self, so that his or her thinking and behavior revolves around someone or something external, including a person, a substance, or an activity, such as sex or gambling.Why Interdependence Is Healthy for a RelationshipInterdependence involves a balance of self and others within the relationship, recognizing that both partners are working to be present and meet each other’s physical and emotional needs in appropriate and meaningful ways.Partners are not demanding of one another and they do not look to their partner for feelings of worthiness. Interdependency gives each partner space to maintain a sense of self, room to move toward each other in times of need and the freedom to make these decisions without fear of what will happen in the relationship.Couples Quiz: Are You in a Healthy Relationship?Characteristics of an Interdependent RelationshipA healthy, interdependent relationship has several features.Here are a few things to look for in a healthy relationship that is not codependent.Healthy boundariesActive listeningTime for personal interestsClear communicationTaking personal responsibility for behaviorsCreating safety for each other to bevulnerableEngaging and responding to each otherHealthyself-esteemBeing open and approachable with each otherWhen partners feel cherished and valued, the relationship becomes a safe haven and a place where the couple can be interdependent. They understand that they are not alone in the relationship, can turn toward each other safely in times of need, and feel secure that their partner will be present.How to Improve Your Relationships With Healthy CommunicationHow to Build an Interdependent RelationshipThe key to building an interdependent relationship is to be mindful of who you are from the beginning. Many times people are looking for or entering relationships simply to avoidfeeling alone, without any personal reflection of who they are, what they value, and their goals for the relationship.Taking time for this kind of personal reflection allows you to enter a new relationship with an awareness of self that is critical for the establishment of a relationship based on interdependency.Licensed psychotherapist Sharon Martin, LCSW suggests it is important to maintain a sense of self in your intimate relationships. She suggests the following ways to maintain a sense of self in a relationship:Knowing what you like and what matters to youNot being afraid to ask for what you wantSpend time with friends and familyContinue pursuing yourpersonal goalsBe mindful of your valuesMake time for hobbies and interestsDon’t be afraid to say “no"Don’t keep yourself small or hidden to please othersAllowing your partner room and opportunity to do these same things will be the key to establishing a healthy, interdependent relationship. Starting your relationship in this way can allow for the development of a safe space for both partners to learn how to turn toward each other intimately without fear of losing themselves or being controlled ormanipulated.60 “How Well Do You Know Me” Questions to Improve Your RelationshipsFinal ThoughtsRelationships based on interdependency do not leave people feeling guilty or scared of their partner or the relationship, but rather, leaves them feeling safe with their partner.Take time to reflect on who you are and what you want in your most important relationships. Being mindful of this in the dating process can help ensure that your relationship will be healthy and more solid for the long term. If you are in a relationship already, it’s never too late to examine your and your partner’s values to ensure that you remain aligned.Find Help With the 6 Best Online Marriage Counseling Programs

Most of us value connection with others, especially in ourromantic relationships. In fact, we are wired for connection and it allows us to create bonds and intimacy with our partner. The success of long-term relationships depends heavily on the quality of our emotional connection with each other.

When we think of our ideal relationships we often think of a wonderful, close, lifelong relationship with our most important person. How do we build that kind of relationship? That cozy, safe, long-term bond with someone who we know has our back for the long haul? A relationship that gives us the freedom to be ourselves, that supports our growth and allows us to have flexibility with each other?

One of the key elements is understanding the difference between interdependence and codependence.

How to Spot the Signs of Codependency

What Is Interdependence?

Interdependence (or interdependency) suggests that partners recognize and value the importance of the emotional bond they share while maintaining a solid sense of self within the relationship dynamic.

An interdependent person recognizes the value of vulnerability, being able to turn to their partner in meaningful ways to create emotional intimacy. They also value a sense of self that allows them and their partner to be themselves without any need to compromise who they are or their values system.

Being dependent on another person can sound scary or even unhealthy. Growing up, we are often taught an over-inflated value of independence, to be somewhat self-contained, with a high value placed on not needing others for emotional support.

As valuable as having a sense of independence is, taken to an extreme, this can actually get in the way of us being able to connect emotionally with others in a meaningful way. Emotional intimacy with a partner can be difficult to achieve, even scary or not seen as particularly valuable in a relationship, for those who have an extraordinary sense ofindependence.

Navigating a New Relationship During the Holidays

Interdependence Is Not Codependence

Interdependence is not the same thing as being codependent. A codependent person tends to rely heavily on others for their sense of self and well-being. There is no ability for that person to distinguish where they end and their partner begins, there is an enmeshed sense of responsibility to another person to meet their needs and/or for their partner to meet all of their needs to feel okay about who they are.

Traits of a codependent relationship include things like:

Codependent relationshipsare not healthy and do not allow partners room to be themselves, to grow, and to be autonomous. These unhealthy relationships involve one or both partners relying heavily on the other and the relationship for their sense of self, feelings of worthiness, and overall emotional well-being. There are often feelings of guilt andshamefor one or both partners when the relationship is not going well.

Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT[Codependency involves] someone who has lost their core sense of self, so that his or her thinking and behavior revolves around someone or something external, including a person, a substance, or an activity, such as sex or gambling.

Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT

[Codependency involves] someone who has lost their core sense of self, so that his or her thinking and behavior revolves around someone or something external, including a person, a substance, or an activity, such as sex or gambling.

Why Interdependence Is Healthy for a Relationship

Interdependence involves a balance of self and others within the relationship, recognizing that both partners are working to be present and meet each other’s physical and emotional needs in appropriate and meaningful ways.

Partners are not demanding of one another and they do not look to their partner for feelings of worthiness. Interdependency gives each partner space to maintain a sense of self, room to move toward each other in times of need and the freedom to make these decisions without fear of what will happen in the relationship.

Couples Quiz: Are You in a Healthy Relationship?

Characteristics of an Interdependent Relationship

A healthy, interdependent relationship has several features.Here are a few things to look for in a healthy relationship that is not codependent.

When partners feel cherished and valued, the relationship becomes a safe haven and a place where the couple can be interdependent. They understand that they are not alone in the relationship, can turn toward each other safely in times of need, and feel secure that their partner will be present.

How to Improve Your Relationships With Healthy Communication

How to Build an Interdependent Relationship

The key to building an interdependent relationship is to be mindful of who you are from the beginning. Many times people are looking for or entering relationships simply to avoidfeeling alone, without any personal reflection of who they are, what they value, and their goals for the relationship.

Taking time for this kind of personal reflection allows you to enter a new relationship with an awareness of self that is critical for the establishment of a relationship based on interdependency.

Licensed psychotherapist Sharon Martin, LCSW suggests it is important to maintain a sense of self in your intimate relationships. She suggests the following ways to maintain a sense of self in a relationship:Knowing what you like and what matters to youNot being afraid to ask for what you wantSpend time with friends and familyContinue pursuing yourpersonal goalsBe mindful of your valuesMake time for hobbies and interestsDon’t be afraid to say “no"Don’t keep yourself small or hidden to please others

Licensed psychotherapist Sharon Martin, LCSW suggests it is important to maintain a sense of self in your intimate relationships. She suggests the following ways to maintain a sense of self in a relationship:

Allowing your partner room and opportunity to do these same things will be the key to establishing a healthy, interdependent relationship. Starting your relationship in this way can allow for the development of a safe space for both partners to learn how to turn toward each other intimately without fear of losing themselves or being controlled ormanipulated.

60 “How Well Do You Know Me” Questions to Improve Your Relationships

Final Thoughts

Relationships based on interdependency do not leave people feeling guilty or scared of their partner or the relationship, but rather, leaves them feeling safe with their partner.

Take time to reflect on who you are and what you want in your most important relationships. Being mindful of this in the dating process can help ensure that your relationship will be healthy and more solid for the long term. If you are in a relationship already, it’s never too late to examine your and your partner’s values to ensure that you remain aligned.

Find Help With the 6 Best Online Marriage Counseling Programs

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rusbult CE, Van Lange PA.Interdependence, interaction, and relationships. Annual review of psychology. 2003 Feb;54(1):351-75.Co-Dependents Anonymous International (CoDa).Patterns and Characteristics of Codependence.Sels L, Ceulemans E, Bulteel K, Kuppens P.Emotional Interdependence and Well-Being in Close Relationships. Front Psychol. 2016;7:283. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00283

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rusbult CE, Van Lange PA.Interdependence, interaction, and relationships. Annual review of psychology. 2003 Feb;54(1):351-75.Co-Dependents Anonymous International (CoDa).Patterns and Characteristics of Codependence.Sels L, Ceulemans E, Bulteel K, Kuppens P.Emotional Interdependence and Well-Being in Close Relationships. Front Psychol. 2016;7:283. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00283

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rusbult CE, Van Lange PA.Interdependence, interaction, and relationships. Annual review of psychology. 2003 Feb;54(1):351-75.Co-Dependents Anonymous International (CoDa).Patterns and Characteristics of Codependence.Sels L, Ceulemans E, Bulteel K, Kuppens P.Emotional Interdependence and Well-Being in Close Relationships. Front Psychol. 2016;7:283. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00283

Rusbult CE, Van Lange PA.Interdependence, interaction, and relationships. Annual review of psychology. 2003 Feb;54(1):351-75.

Co-Dependents Anonymous International (CoDa).Patterns and Characteristics of Codependence.

Sels L, Ceulemans E, Bulteel K, Kuppens P.Emotional Interdependence and Well-Being in Close Relationships. Front Psychol. 2016;7:283. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00283

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