Understanding Codependence: Its Origins, Impact, and Strategies for Healing

sandy: If your therapist told you they thought this would give you some insight and you didn’t think you were codependent, THIS book will open up your eyes for sure! I was shook when I started reading it. It was actually interesting to realize that anyone could “suffer” from codependency. I’m able to reflect on past behaviors or things that did upset me and understand why. I LOVE THIS FOR ME! Sometimes all that is needed is understanding and we’re able to navigate a little more differently for the better.

United States on Oct 27, 2023

Amazon Customer: If you’re reading this review then the greatest gift you can give yourself, right now, is this book. For my work and personal life I perform ongoing research of childhood trauma from neglect, mental abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, and self harm. Pia’s updated book on Facing Codependence is life changing. Why? Because, Pia explains in easy to understand terms how codependency is developed, traits, and tools to overcome the devastation of this disease. Additionally, Pia shares her decades of research on family dysfunction. My favorite part of Pia’s writing style is how she explains a functional and dysfunctional family. Must have for anyone who has a personal experience of abuse, neglect, or addiction as a child or adult. Equally, a must for anyone who is close to an individual (or group) that’s suffers from any other above mentioned.
I would recommend Pia’s other books and YouTube videos as well.

United States on Oct 12, 2023

Andrew: Please buy this and learn from it. It's so amazing

United States on Sep 18, 2023

Amazon Customer: This book will blow your mind! Absolutely brilliant and so incredibly useful!

Canada on Jul 20, 2023

Jennee: Unlike other books on codependency, this book addresses the trauma initiated codependency issues that can arose from a dysfunctional family of origin. This came highly recommended from our therapist.

United States on Jun 27, 2023

Hashemisgreat: 4 stars due to the amazing breakthrough for me on what constitutes child abuse. Became aware I am a victim. Reason I’m not giving a 5 star is she writes 200 wonderful pages on child abuse and only 15 on recovering from codependency which is why I bought it. The direct connection she makes from child abuse to codependency is why it’s a 4 star and not a 2
Should be titled the roots of codependency not so much facing it….

United States on May 10, 2022

Paris S.Paris S.: A detailed examination of childhood in a dysfunctional family and the repetitive behaviours you are experiencing today. I keep turning the pages towards a mediocre presentation but it does not happen. Pia Mellody presents a plausible explanation of how you came to be the person you are today based upon 10 years of interviews with actual clients. The power in this book is that it helps you identify the core beliefs you formed in childhood without subjecting your thoughts and feelings to a warped judgement process induced into you as a vulnerable child by a family of origin who were themselves victims of unhealthy experience. For example, she defines abuse broadly as “Any experience that was less than nurturing or shaming.” No judgement or blame on your part of events which were not yours in the making. For, “Trying to decide whether your major caregivers did or did not intend you harm can make you try to deny or minimize the abusiveness of what happened to you.” A most liberating experience for myself having been raised by the loving victim of a savage auto accident who meant no harm. Freedom! I am in no way connected to this author.
Thank you for giving so much Pia...

Canada on Jan 25, 2022

Tiina JTiina J: The media could not be loaded.  I ordered this book for to use it for the paper I wrote at the university. I wrote about child abuse (any kind, not only sexual), its concequences and possible ways for healing from of it. Soft cover, easy understandable style and the font in a good size, makes it easy to read.

Facing Codependece helps better to understand, what child abuse is, how the childs brain and therefore its behaviour changes, when it has experienced abuse, how it influences them still during their adult life and also, how it could be possible to heal oneself from it. Many real life stories will give the clear picture of which situations the author is meaning and also the suggestions, how to avoid those when bringing up a child.

I recommend this book for everyone, who has experienced abuse in their childhood or wants to have an insight what concequences it has and how to avoid them.

Germany on Aug 20, 2017

Garcia: Ich habe das Buch noch nicht ganz durchgelesen, aber bereits 2/3 und ich muss sagen, dass Pia Mellody in einer sehr genauen Weise die Symptome und das Verhalten eines Co-Abhängigen darstellt. Man fühlt sich endlich verstanden. Es wird deutlich dargestellt, wie diese Verhaltensweisen entstanden sind und welche Erfahrungen in der Kindheit Auslöser hierfür gewesen sein könnten. Es wird auch eine Anleitung gegeben, um alle Schädigenden Erfahrungen aus der Vergangenheit zu identifizieren und den Täter gedanklich verantwortlich zu machen. Hierbei geht es nicht um Schuldzuweisungen im eigentichen Sinne, sondern dass man mental ein Bewusstsein dafür entwickelt, dass eine Grenze überschritten wurde und der Täter etwas getan hat, dass einem geschadet hat. Ich fand dies für mich persönlich sehr hilfreich und befreiend. Denn wenn man wirklich sich selbst sagen kann, dass die Schuld (berechtigterweise) bei einer Person liegt, die uns traumatisiert hat, dann ist dies befreiend. Denn so lange man gar nicht versteht, dass eine massive Grenzverletzung stattgefunden hat, versteht man nicht, warum man sich schlecht fühlt, man denkt, dass mit einem etwas nicht "richtig" ist. Dies wird...

Germany on Jun 08, 2016

S R: I found this book by Pia very interesting from an inner child perspective. It provides a rich and often confronting view on co-dependence going into the thick of emotional and physical trauma and sexual abuse. It can be quite heavy but is gently empowering too because it paints co-dependance as a serious mental disease that is more serious than often accepted. Debilitating and soul crushing, co-dependance eats at your self-worth and underpins what we might call a poor self-concept and/or severe emotional stress. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an introduction to this area or who wants empowerment i.e. a 'yes, I have a right to declare my co-dependance to myself and to other if I wish and make changes - I can heal and find my individuality'. Although a little dated and a bit dry throughout, it is a very worthwhile read. I recommend.

United Kingdom on Feb 28, 2014