How do you tell the difference between a codependent and a narcissist?

Codependency is a disorder of a “lost self.” Codependents have lost their connection to their innate self. Instead, their thinking and behavior revolve around a person, substance, or process. Narcissists also suffer from a lack of connection to their true self. In its place, they’re identified with their ideal self.

Can you be both a narcissist and a codependent?

While many studies find lower rates of narcissism among people with codependency, some have actually found higher rates of narcissism among those with codependent traits. A person who is codependent in one situation might be narcissistic in another.

What happens when two codependents get in a relationship?

Two codependents can get together because they both are trying to find love outside of themselves. But what will happen is that the person who is more selfish will become the narcissist in the relationship and the person who is more selfless will be the codependent.

What are codependents afraid of?

This is where the codependent core issue of low self-esteem comes in. With a fragile self, codependents are afraid of rejection and abandonment, but on the flip side, they fear losing themselves when they get attached in a relationship.

Can two codependents fall in love?

Do narcissists “latch on” to codependents?

While I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the role codependency plays for those of us who are, or have been, in relationships with addicts, people with addictions are not the only ones who “latch on” to codependents or for whom codependents sacrifice themselves. Codependents often find themselves in relationships with people who exhibit narcissism.

What is the difference between a narcissistic supply and a codependent supply?

Usually, they require someone else to constantly boost their ego and self-confidence. And, to do so, they need a constant flow of affection and admiration towards them. This is a “narcissistic supply”. On the other hand, codependents have a strong need to focus on others.

Are narcissists and Co-Dependents the same person?

However, there are two distinctive types of human traits that are quite popular – people with the narcissist and codependent characteristics . Interestingly, several researchers and writers have often categorized the narcissists and the co-dependents as opposites, whereas they have a lot of similar psychological traits.

Why is freeing yourself from codependency so important?

Freeing yourself from codependency is necessary for a number of reasons, although it requires a great deal of insight, self-examination, and courage. Both the narcissist and the codependent have the tendency to reinforce one another in negative ways, especially in situations that involve drug or alcohol addiction.