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Codependency doesn't just affect romantic relationships—it can appear in our friendships too, creating anxiety, over-functioning, and emotional entanglement that feels just as intense without the relationship label. Emotional intimacy is emotional intimacy, regardless of whether it's with a friend or partner, and our attachment patterns don't discriminate.
• Friendships lack the clear definitions and expectations that romantic relationships have—there's no "define the relationship" talk or breakup script
• Unspoken friendship rules create confusion, especially for those with codependent tendencies who overfunction to maintain connections
• Friendship grief is just as valid as romantic heartbreak, though society rarely acknowledges it in the same way
• Jealousy and fear can emerge when friends develop new relationships or life changes, triggering abandonment wounds
• Notice which friendships feel genuinely safe versus which ones just feel familiar due to shared history
Send me a message
This episode includes a paid partnership with BetterHelp. Click this link, betterhelp.com/drdowney, to get 10% off your first month.
📗 My Books: Enough as I Am (codependency recovery) Enough as I Grow (365 day guide journal). Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate parner with Amazon and therefore receive a commission at no cost to you.
📘 Great Books on Codependency
📙My Favorite books:
Daring Greatly by Brenee Brown, It Begins With You by Jillian Turecki, Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin.
Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate parner with Amazon and therefore receive a commission at no cost to you.
📰 Sign up for my Newsletter
🛜 My Website DrAngelaDowney
Email: [email protected]
Social Media links: Here
🎵 Music: Touching The Air by Graceful Movement
By Dr. Angela Downey5
55 ratings
Codependency doesn't just affect romantic relationships—it can appear in our friendships too, creating anxiety, over-functioning, and emotional entanglement that feels just as intense without the relationship label. Emotional intimacy is emotional intimacy, regardless of whether it's with a friend or partner, and our attachment patterns don't discriminate.
• Friendships lack the clear definitions and expectations that romantic relationships have—there's no "define the relationship" talk or breakup script
• Unspoken friendship rules create confusion, especially for those with codependent tendencies who overfunction to maintain connections
• Friendship grief is just as valid as romantic heartbreak, though society rarely acknowledges it in the same way
• Jealousy and fear can emerge when friends develop new relationships or life changes, triggering abandonment wounds
• Notice which friendships feel genuinely safe versus which ones just feel familiar due to shared history
Send me a message
This episode includes a paid partnership with BetterHelp. Click this link, betterhelp.com/drdowney, to get 10% off your first month.
📗 My Books: Enough as I Am (codependency recovery) Enough as I Grow (365 day guide journal). Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate parner with Amazon and therefore receive a commission at no cost to you.
📘 Great Books on Codependency
📙My Favorite books:
Daring Greatly by Brenee Brown, It Begins With You by Jillian Turecki, Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin.
Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate parner with Amazon and therefore receive a commission at no cost to you.
📰 Sign up for my Newsletter
🛜 My Website DrAngelaDowney
Email: [email protected]
Social Media links: Here
🎵 Music: Touching The Air by Graceful Movement

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