{"id":1139,"date":"2022-11-23T18:15:30","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T18:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/?p=1139"},"modified":"2022-11-23T18:15:30","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T18:15:30","slug":"codependent-friendship-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs of a Codependent Friendship: Are You in One?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have a needy friend who often gets into trouble and you rescue them time after time? Maybe your friend is chronically dealing with some kinds of psychological problems or personal dramas and is always looking for a listening ear and advice?<\/p>\n<p>You could be in a codependent friendship.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about what it means to be in one and how you can recognize the signs of codependency in friendships.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #222222;color:#222222\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#Codependent_Friendship_Definition\" title=\"Codependent Friendship Definition\">Codependent Friendship Definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#15_Undeniable_Signs_of_a_Codependent_Friendship\" title=\"15 Undeniable Signs of a Codependent Friendship\">15 Undeniable Signs of a Codependent Friendship<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#1_Your_friend_is_always_in_need\" title=\"1. Your friend is always in need\">1. Your friend is always in need<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#2_The_support_is_one-sided\" title=\"2. The support is one-sided\">2. The support is one-sided<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#3_Your_friend_relies_on_you\" title=\"3. Your friend relies on you\">3. Your friend relies on you<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#4_Your_friends_presence_can_be_draining\" title=\"4. Your friend\u2019s presence can be draining\">4. Your friend\u2019s presence can be draining<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#5_You_feel_obliged_to_solve_your_friends_problems\" title=\"5. You feel obliged to solve your friend\u2019s problems\">5. You feel obliged to solve your friend\u2019s problems<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#6_You_put_your_friends_needs_first\" title=\"6. You put your friend\u2019s needs first\">6. You put your friend\u2019s needs first<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#7_Boundaries_are_blurred\" title=\"7. Boundaries are blurred\">7. Boundaries are blurred<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#8_Your_friend_tells_you_more_than_you_tell_them\" title=\"8. Your friend tells you more than you tell them\">8. Your friend tells you more than you tell them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#9_You_feel_guilty\" title=\"9. You feel guilty\">9. You feel guilty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#10_You_worry_about_your_friend\" title=\"10. You worry about your friend\">10. You worry about your friend<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#11_You_are_in_constant_contact\" title=\"11. You are in constant contact\">11. You are in constant contact<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#12_You_may_feel_jealous_and_bitter\" title=\"12. You may feel jealous and bitter\">12. You may feel jealous and bitter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#13_The_role_of_a_%E2%80%98giver_makes_you_feel_competent_and_special\" title=\"13. The role of a \u2018giver\u2019 makes you feel competent and special\">13. The role of a \u2018giver\u2019 makes you feel competent and special<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#14_You_may_feel_used\" title=\"14. You may feel used\">14. You may feel used<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#15_The_level_of_empathy_is_dangerously_high\" title=\"15. The level of empathy is dangerously high\">15. The level of empathy is dangerously high<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/#How_to_Fix_a_Codependent_Friendship\" title=\"How to Fix a Codependent Friendship?\">How to Fix a Codependent Friendship?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Codependent_Friendship_Definition\"><\/span>Codependent Friendship Definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It means an unhealthy friendship where personal boundaries are blurred and the one friend depends on the other emotionally, practically, or even financially.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, one of them plays the role of a \u2018taker\u2019 and is always in trouble. They can\u2019t cope with their problems on their own, so they seek support from others. In turn, the \u2018giver\u2019 provides them with the assistance and emotional support they need.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Undeniable_Signs_of_a_Codependent_Friendship\"><\/span>15 Undeniable Signs of a Codependent Friendship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Your_friend_is_always_in_need\"><\/span>1. Your friend is always in need<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-814\" src=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/friend-asking-for-favors1.jpg\" alt=\"friend asking for favors clingy behavior\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/friend-asking-for-favors1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/friend-asking-for-favors1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/friend-asking-for-favors1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Your friend seems to be the unluckiest person ever. They always lose their keys, have their wallet stolen, get into bad company, or fall in love with the wrong person.<\/p>\n<p>So, they call you out of the sudden and ask you to come pick them up or give them some money. Alternatively, they are always in need of emotional support. They want to talk over and over again about their heartbreaks and disappointments, and you are there to listen.<\/p>\n<p>This is what true friends do, right? But take a moment to answer this simple question: <em>does your friend do the same for you, too<\/em>? If they don\u2019t, then most likely, your friendship is codependent.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_The_support_is_one-sided\"><\/span>2. The support is one-sided<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the key difference between a codependent friendship and a healthy one.<\/p>\n<p>In a healthy bond, both people provide each other with help and support. Just as your friend wants to discuss their personal problems, so do you, and they will sit and listen when you need someone to talk to.<\/p>\n<p>When codependency takes place in friendships, the support is one-sided. Be it practical\/financial assistance or emotional help, your friend is always the needy party, and you always play the role of a \u2018listening ear\u2019 or a \u2018shoulder to cry on\u2019.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Your_friend_relies_on_you\"><\/span>3. Your friend relies on you<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You are the only close person your friend has and can rely on. Maybe they have a terrible relationship with their parents, so they can\u2019t turn to them for help or even tell them about their problems. Maybe they <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/why-do-i-have-no-friends\/\">have no other friends<\/a>, and all their social connections are too superficial.<\/p>\n<p>So you are basically their only support system. Your friend often tells you that you are their best and most loyal friend and you are the only one who understands and listens.<\/p>\n<p>This may make you feel special and flattered, but the truth is that this reliance is unhealthy and is a huge sign of a codependent friendship.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Your_friends_presence_can_be_draining\"><\/span>4. Your friend\u2019s presence can be draining<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This neediness of your friend sometimes makes them difficult to be with. You may begin to feel that your friend\u2019s presence is daunting because they always complain and talk about negative things.<\/p>\n<p>In a sense, they drain your energy because most of your conversations revolve around their problems. Even if you used to have fun in the past, it\u2019s no longer there.<\/p>\n<p>You may begin to notice that you are not enthusiastic about meeting up with your friend. You may even feel guilty about that. Friends support each other during hard times, right? So, you need to be there when your friend needs you. But what if your friend is chronically having a hard time?<\/p>\n<p>If your friendship is codependent and <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/one-sided-friendship-signs\/\">one-sided<\/a>, you will feel like being a parent of a troubled teen. At some point, you get tired of sorting out their mess.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_You_feel_obliged_to_solve_your_friends_problems\"><\/span>5. You feel obliged to solve your friend\u2019s problems<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1141\" src=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/needy-friend.jpeg\" alt=\"needy friend\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/needy-friend.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/needy-friend-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/needy-friend-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In a sense, you feel responsible for your friend\u2019s problems. You are used to your role of a rescuer or counselor\u2013your friendship has always been this way. So, you feel obliged to offer your friend a shoulder to cry on when they get into trouble again.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes this feeling of obligation stems from a mere habit, but it may also come down to guilt. As we said above, most likely, your friend <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/i-have-no-one-to-talk-to\/\">doesn\u2019t have anyone else to talk to<\/a> or turn to in a moment of crisis. You are the only close person they have, which brings a certain degree of responsibility with it.<\/p>\n<p>Beware of this way of thinking, though. Your friend is an adult, just as you are, and you are not responsible for their life choices.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_You_put_your_friends_needs_first\"><\/span>6. You put your friend\u2019s needs first<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You were going to have dinner with your husband, but suddenly, your friend shows up at your door and says her boyfriend dumped her again. So, instead of having a romantic experience with your special someone, you spend the evening listening to your friend and trying to calm her down.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, things happen, and sometimes we have no other choice but to cancel our plans to help someone who needs us. But what if a situation like this is a repeating pattern in your friendship?<\/p>\n<p>Do you step on your neck in order to help your friend? Do you suddenly forget about your plans and responsibilities when your needy friend shows up? Does it often happen that you give up time with your family and other friends in order to be there for your friend?<\/p>\n<p>This is not a healthy bond and is a huge sign of codependency in a friendship.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Boundaries_are_blurred\"><\/span>7. Boundaries are blurred<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since your friend relies on you so much, they think it\u2019s fine to show up unannounced or give you a phone call in the middle of the night.<\/p>\n<p>When it happens, you may feel annoyed at first, but you soon forget about it and switch to your \u2018giver\u2019 mode again. You always find a way to excuse their behavior\u2013they need you, they have no one else to turn to, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Weak personal boundaries are a telltale sign of a codependent friendship. The problem is that you <em>allow <\/em>your friend to repeatedly <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/overstepping-boundaries-examples\/\">overstep your boundaries<\/a>. So, unless one of you breaks the pattern, your friendship will continue to be codependent.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Your_friend_tells_you_more_than_you_tell_them\"><\/span>8. Your friend tells you more than you tell them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As we said, codependency in friendships results in the fact that one of the friends plays the role of a listening ear. If this is what you do, you rarely tell your friend about your problems.<\/p>\n<p>You may feel that their life is difficult enough, so they are not the right person to discuss your concerns with. Maybe this thought doesn\u2019t even cross your mind\u2013you are so used to the friendship dynamic where you are a listener that it feels weird to change roles.<\/p>\n<p>It could also be that you\u2019ve tried to tell your friend about your worries, but they proved unable to provide support. Are they a bad listener? Does each conversation end up with discussing their problems? Do you feel like they <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/no-one-understands-me\/\">don&#8217;t understand you<\/a>?<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_You_feel_guilty\"><\/span>9. You feel guilty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-719\" src=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-a-friendship-signs.jpg\" alt=\"outgrowing a friendship signs\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-a-friendship-signs.jpg 800w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-a-friendship-signs-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-a-friendship-signs-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A key sign of a codependent friendship is that you are haunted by unhealthy guilt, which makes you unable to set firm boundaries and say no when your friend needs you.<\/p>\n<p>Each time they get into trouble, you feel as if it\u2019s your responsibility to rescue them. You struggle to say no. Maybe you don\u2019t even think about it\u2013playing the role of a savior has become your second nature. You may even feel guilty when your friend fails or makes a bad decision.<\/p>\n<p>Your friend may be aware of this and may use your guilt to get what they want. They may say that you are the only person they can rely on and there is no one else they trust.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, codependency fueled by guilt is not a healthy friendship dynamic.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_You_worry_about_your_friend\"><\/span>10. You worry about your friend<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Since your friend has a remarkable ability to get into trouble, you worry about them a lot.<\/p>\n<p>For example, your friend starts a new relationship, and you begin to worry. Will it be happy and healthy or will it end up with a painful breakup, just like the previous ones? What if your friend has met one more manipulator and he will make her unhappy?<\/p>\n<p>A codependent friendship has many similarities with a parent-child relationship, so you sometimes worry about your friend as if they were your kid. You feel like they can\u2019t cope on their own and are unable to make good choices without your guidance.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_You_are_in_constant_contact\"><\/span>11. You are in constant contact<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The above\u2013guilt and worrying\u2013result in the fact that you keep in touch with your friend all the time. You want to know how they are doing and what\u2019s going on in their life. If you don\u2019t talk to them for a day or two, you begin to feel concerned.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>What if something happened to them? What if they got into some serious trouble this time?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In a sense, you feel the need to control your friend and be constantly present in their life. Once again, this stems from the feeling that they can\u2019t cope without you. Sometimes this may even lead you to controlling behavior.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_You_may_feel_jealous_and_bitter\"><\/span>12. You may feel jealous and bitter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-720\" src=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-friends-signs.jpg\" alt=\"outgrowing friends signs\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-friends-signs.jpg 800w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-friends-signs-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/outgrowing-friends-signs-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When your friend hangs out with someone else, you feel jealous. You are their best friend, so why do they choose someone else\u2019s company over yours? Don\u2019t they have more fun with you?<\/p>\n<p>Jealousy may set in even when your friend is too busy or gets into a relationship and you stop talking every day. You feel unwanted, as if your friend doesn\u2019t need you anymore.<\/p>\n<p>You are so used to being there for them that you may feel bitter when they don\u2019t show up, asking for your help and advice. Suddenly, everything is fine in their life and they are doing great without you.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_The_role_of_a_%E2%80%98giver_makes_you_feel_competent_and_special\"><\/span>13. The role of a \u2018giver\u2019 makes you feel competent and special<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You may ask, why do people stay in codependent friendships if they are so unhealthy and draining? Okay, it\u2019s understandable why the \u2018taker\u2019 needs such a friendship, but what about the \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/presence-mind\/201807\/the-codependent-friendship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">giver<\/a>\u2019? What do they gain?<\/p>\n<p>Being a friend of a needy person makes you feel special. You are the only person they rely on and listen to. Your friend turns to you in times of crisis, and it makes you feel needed.<\/p>\n<p>If your friendship is more about listening and giving advice, you may also feel important and competent. You are so smart, your ideas are so wise, and your friend comes to you for advice time after time. This makes you feel good about yourself.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_You_may_feel_used\"><\/span>14. You may feel used<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-437\" src=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/not-feeling-good-enough.jpg\" alt=\"not feeling good enough\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/not-feeling-good-enough.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/not-feeling-good-enough-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/not-feeling-good-enough-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/not-feeling-good-enough-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since there is a steady pattern of you helping your friend, at some point, you may begin to feel used. Yes, you still care about your friend and feel obliged to provide them support, but you may start to wonder,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Are they just taking advantage of me? Am I just a <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/friend-of-convenience-signs\/\">friend of convenience<\/a> to them?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Even if you don\u2019t consciously ask yourself these questions, the vague feeling of being exploited is still lingering at the back of your mind. It\u2019s because your friendship is imbalanced.<\/p>\n<p>You know it perfectly well that your friend is not there for you when it\u2019s your turn to ask for help and emotional support. They are only interested in getting these things for you. Sadly, this is how codependence in friendships works\u2013the support always goes one way.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_The_level_of_empathy_is_dangerously_high\"><\/span>15. The level of empathy is dangerously high<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Codependent friendships often become enmeshed, where you experience your friends\u2019 problems and feelings as your own. When your friend is upset, you begin to feel this way, too. When they are going through a difficult time, you feel concerned and think about them all the time.<\/p>\n<p>Empathy is a crucial part of emotional attachment, but when its level is too high, it makes you neglect your own needs. You relate to your friend\u2019s feelings so deeply that you may even experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/workforce-wellness\/wellness-topics\/compassion-fatigue\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">compassion fatigue<\/a>, where you can\u2019t take in any more emotions.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Fix_a_Codependent_Friendship\"><\/span>How to Fix a Codependent Friendship?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The good news is that you can overcome codependency in your friendship and turn it into a healthy bond. What you need to do is take small but steady steps toward breaking an unhealthy reliance your friend has on you. You can start by cutting constant contact and giving your friend more freedom to make decisions.<\/p>\n<p>You can tell them which hours you are not to be disturbed and turn off your phone. Just stop being available 24\/7 and don&#8217;t rush to rescue your friend at their first request! They are not a child! They are the only person who is responsible for what&#8217;s going on in their life.<\/p>\n<p>If you make a firm decision to end codependency in your friendship, it will be easier to set boundaries and say no. This is when you will see the truth about your friendship.<\/p>\n<p>If <a href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/signs-your-friend-doesnt-care-about-you\/\">your friend really cares about you<\/a>, they will respect your boundaries and stop being so needy. If they don&#8217;t, they will most likely disappear from your life and find another &#8216;rescuer&#8217;. In this case, genuine friendship was never there and your bond was based on mere convenience. This means that you are better off without it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have a needy friend who often gets into trouble and you rescue them time after time? Maybe your friend is chronically dealing with some kinds of psychological problems or personal dramas and is always looking for a listening ear and advice? You could be in a codependent friendship. Let\u2019s talk about what it &#8230; <a title=\"15 Signs of a Codependent Friendship: Are You in One?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/communication\/codependent-friendship-signs\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 15 Signs of a Codependent Friendship: Are You in One?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1140,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[16],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1139"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1143,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1139\/revisions\/1143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/powerofmisfits.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}