Experts say codependent relationships are damaging - here are 8 warning signs you're in one

Codependent personalities tend to thrive on helping others (or even thinking they may 'fix' them). When caring for another person stops you from having your own needs met or if your self-worth is dependent on being needed, you may be heading down the codependent path.

Boundaries are useful with people you care about, but in a codependent person's heart, 'boundaries' is a very negative word. 

They think 'the moment I care about you, I drop all my boundaries'. In other words, you give more credence to their story than to yours.

It's important to bond with your partner but to also maintain your own life. You don't want to become so dependent on someone else that you lose who you are, or that essence that makes you unique. 
Schedule date nights but also nights with friends or nights alone to unwind.

When you start losing contact with those who are important to you, it is a sign something is not quite right. 

You need to be really mindful of that because otherwise, you become increasingly codependent on your partner and so when if you decide they aren't good for you, you look around and there are no friends and no hobbies.

• Are you or your partner always worried that the other will break off the relationship?
• Do you need constant assurance that you are loved?
• Do you or your partner come up with little tests to get attention from the other?
• Do you or your partner threaten to leave just so you can be begged to stay?
• Do you or your partner define yourselves by the relationship? Do you have difficulty being alone?
• Is there a lot of tension or intensity in your relationship, and do either of you secretly enjoy the 'drama' of frequent break-ups and reunions?

If you answered 'Yes' to even a few of these questions, you are probably in a codependent relationship.