Hi again and welcome back to the savvy psychologist. I'm your host Dr. Ellen

Hendrickson and every week I'll help you meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic

ear, and zero judgment.

Like self-love or inner child, the term cod dependent smacks of pop psychology psychobabble.

And to make matters worse, it's becoming shorthand for a whole host of unhealthy behaviors.

But what does it really mean, and does it describe your relationship?

This week, by listener request, we'll talk about what co-dependent really means and what you can do to set things right.

Okay, why did the cod dependent cross the road?

To help the chicken make a decision.

Since its debut in the late 70s and early 80s,

the term coddependent has become the stuff of punchlines,

but it is a real thing.

While not an actual diagnosis, the term cod dependent was first used to describe how family members of individuals with

substance abuse issues might actually interfere with recovery by over-helping.

As the term spread, so did the idea of the importance of context for people struggling with

substance abuse.

Indeed, before the shift, treatment tended to focus purely on the addicted individual without much thought for

their broader support system. But since then the term has gotten a lot looser,

so much so that it's become a catch-all for any enabling, over-dependent, or dysfunctional relationship.

At its worst, anyone who offers support for a loved one risks being dragged down a rabbit hole labeled

coddependent. So what is it exactly? For our purposes today

we'll focus on the over helper side of the aisle. So here are four ways to tell if

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