Discussion Board 4: Codependency
In this discussion board, you will show your ability to recognize codependent characteristics and
relationships, while critically utilizing the information from the readings. This discussion is
worth 5 points and is due October 20th (11:59PM). Full credit will given on your ability to
thoughtfully connect the material to the questions below and by commenting on other student's
posts.
The following questions will be asked:
(1) After the readings and the lecture, how has your initial understanding of the meaning of
codependency changed?
(2) Based on the characteristics of codependency, think of a TV or movie relationships you think
fits the criteria. Explain why and use information from the module.
(3) Do you think that someone can change being codependent? Explain why not? Or how they
would go about changing?
My understanding of what codependency is has dramatically changed after the readings
and the lecture. First off, I never had associated it with addiction at all much less being the most
prevalent addiction. The definition that I had in my mind was that of just depending on another
person excessively, but I never thought of it as looking outside of the self to find happiness. I
related to the story in the Beattie reading, about the man who was angry after discovering his
codependence in his mid-fifties. It gave me the same sort of feeling while reading the traits
associated with codependency, and that I had experienced several of the same characteristics.
I would have to say that the character that comes to mind is of Alan Harper on “Two and
a half men”. Alan allows his brother’s behavior to affect him and he is also obsessed with trying
to control his behavior. There is also a lot of anger that Alan exhibits which is due to his weak
boundaries with Charlie. Alan has a lot of low self-worth and gets his happiness through what
others say about him and his caretaking of Charlie.
It is very possible to change codependent behaviors if the individual can stick with the
changes made. Since it is a learned behavior, it can be unlearned. With meaningful changes and
dedication, it is something that can be treatable just as an addiction can. The person would first
need to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, take themselves out of the victim
role, and then refuse to rescue the other person. It would take time of course, but with the right
amount of determination, therapy, and willpower it can be possible to change the behavior. The
issue would then be in the maintenance.
In this discussion board, you will show your ability to recognize codependent characteristics and
relationships, while critically utilizing the information from the readings. This discussion is
worth 5 points and is due October 20th (11:59PM). Full credit will given on your ability to
thoughtfully connect the material to the questions below and by commenting on other student's
posts.
The following questions will be asked:
(1) After the readings and the lecture, how has your initial understanding of the meaning of
codependency changed?
(2) Based on the characteristics of codependency, think of a TV or movie relationships you think
fits the criteria. Explain why and use information from the module.
(3) Do you think that someone can change being codependent? Explain why not? Or how they
would go about changing?
My understanding of what codependency is has dramatically changed after the readings
and the lecture. First off, I never had associated it with addiction at all much less being the most
prevalent addiction. The definition that I had in my mind was that of just depending on another
person excessively, but I never thought of it as looking outside of the self to find happiness. I
related to the story in the Beattie reading, about the man who was angry after discovering his
codependence in his mid-fifties. It gave me the same sort of feeling while reading the traits
associated with codependency, and that I had experienced several of the same characteristics.
I would have to say that the character that comes to mind is of Alan Harper on “Two and
a half men”. Alan allows his brother’s behavior to affect him and he is also obsessed with trying
to control his behavior. There is also a lot of anger that Alan exhibits which is due to his weak
boundaries with Charlie. Alan has a lot of low self-worth and gets his happiness through what
others say about him and his caretaking of Charlie.
It is very possible to change codependent behaviors if the individual can stick with the
changes made. Since it is a learned behavior, it can be unlearned. With meaningful changes and
dedication, it is something that can be treatable just as an addiction can. The person would first
need to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, take themselves out of the victim
role, and then refuse to rescue the other person. It would take time of course, but with the right
amount of determination, therapy, and willpower it can be possible to change the behavior. The
issue would then be in the maintenance.
