Is your sense of self dependent on approval from someone else? Do you constantly exert yourself to meet your partner’s needs without getting much in return? Do you feel like you’re suffocating in your relationship? Does it seem like your needs and desires shouldn’t take priority? Codependency is characterized by preoccupation or dependence on another person. This can manifest in ways that are emotional, social, and sometimes physical. Individuals who display codependent behaviors are so busy taking care of others that they forget to take care of themselves. One key sign of codependency is when your sense of self and purpose is dependent upon the approval of someone else.