| Emotional Dependency |
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jales Senior Member      Posts: 606 Group: Registered Joined: Apr 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood:  Points: 762.90 [View Inventory] | Emotional Dependency
I can't spell so I'm not sure if dependency is spelt correctly. Okay my question is what are your thought on getting emtionally attached? .. I know it might be a strange question.. if you are thinking that the obvious answer is that in all relationahips we get emotionally attched then at least I'm not alone in what I thought.
Anyway I know someone who doesn't believe in getting emotionally attched and they live a pretty happy life (they say). They do sports and the person is very social but their friends change every so often. Thing is though when you get into certain relationships shouldn't it be okay to become emtionally dependent or is it always a bad thing?
I really would like to hear what other people think; when is it okay to become emtionally dependant on someone? is it ever okay or always ill-advised, is it ever a good thing? how dependant is unhealthy? Lol I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.
Marilyn Monroe |
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| 12-11-2007 09:32 AM | |
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Lost in the Oilfield Posting Freak       Posts: 1,005 Group: Registered Joined: Aug 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood:  Points: 13.40
| RE: Emotional Dependency
Your spelling seems fine to me Jales  In all relationships there is some level of emotional attachment. The only difference is which emotions a person evokes, and also the degree to which such feelings are tapped.
Hmm as to the second part of your post Jales... I think that person just isn't identifying with their feelings and their own emotional attachments... and perhaps because they go through so many friends being highly social, they form attachments often that are not entirely substantial... more a large gathering of acquaintances than true friends. So this person can attach and detach with ease... I think this is a strong feature in socialites. While they may change friends often, usually these people do have a couple constants or "emotional anchors" in their life though such as siblings, parents, grand parents, other relatives, or one or two very close friends that they do form very strong emotional attachments with.
There is a quote, though I can't seem to find it online and I can't recall the author, that goes something like this:
"Don't let anyone become your everything because if you lose them you'll have nothing."
I think it is only you that can decide if you become attached to someone or not... that being said though I think, more often than not, it is by their words or actions that this attachment forms over time, so just because you decide doesn't necessarily mean you'll have power over your heart 
Just try to remember that quote above though, and hold yourself back from becoming 100% attached unless they have honestly earned and proven such love will be returned.
As far as the depth of dependence... most couples seem to become dependent on various levels and for many different things. I think in healthy relationships both members of the relationship seem to retain some degree of their own identity and independence. This not only protects you from absolute loss of self, but also ensures that you keep something of yourself that your significant other should appreciate, respect, and even perhaps love. Just my opinion 
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| 12-11-2007 10:03 AM | |
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cklove Unregistered MyMood: None Points:
| RE: Emotional Dependency
I get confused about this also. One thing I'm learning and trying to practice is how to have healthy boundaries. Not easy if you never did it before.
I just try to make sure I keep in my own space and respect others. If you are starting out in a new relationship this is so important. You don't want to get too close too fast it could scare someone away.
Sounds like you friend does what works for him. But everyone is different. Maybe he doesn't need to get too close to anyone. I know that by keeping a distance there's less risk involved. But it may feel too shallow to others who want a closer rel.
Being dependent on anyone or anything , at least as an adult may not be always healthy. Knowing you can rely on someone to be your friend in time of need is diff. But to be emmeshed to the point where you don't know where you end and the other starts , is probably sick. |
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| 12-11-2007 01:26 PM | |
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lonelyloser Solitary Poster     Posts: 230 Group: Registered Joined: Oct 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood: None Points: 18.61
| RE: Emotional Dependency
I think it depends on how the other person handles it. If he/she forces you to cut off everyone else in your life, then it is unhealthy. Some people who were treated badly in the past tend to have this habit it seems...I think that in order to avoid getting set up for emotional dependency, you really have to work at creating your own social circle and a sense of self-confidence.
I actually kind of like it if I'm dating a girl and she becomes emotionally dependent on me. I mean if she weren't affected when I didn't call or when I'm away, I would wonder if she even liked me that much. However I know I would never abuse that relationship between us because I'd never ask her to do something unreasonable like go against a friend or drop everything and elope with me. |
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| 12-11-2007 03:24 PM | |
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jales Senior Member      Posts: 606 Group: Registered Joined: Apr 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood:  Points: 762.90 [View Inventory] | RE: Emotional Dependency
Changing the topic just a little. I'm sort of convinced that as humans the reason some of us get depressed and all that is that we are missing something. Not sure what that something is. What I mean is that dependency on something 'anything' in general doesn't seem to be unnatural or wrong at all. I mean it actually seems to be the 'human' way; I mean we are all dependent upon food, and fine with that.
So my question is what is it that we lack..? I think I asked this in another thread called 'GOD!'. I guess it may be a lot of things.. that make up a balanced life. Like exersise, or for the people here social-relations. Not sure..
What do you'll think it is that we lack. I ask here because I think that I am just about as 'emotionally attached' to this site as can be. If I'm stressed out I find a computer and after an hour I'm GOOD! I do feel like an addict; yes. But the point is could what we lack be as simple as emotional attachments? i donno.. |
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| 12-12-2007 04:36 AM | |
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Arianna Unregistered MyMood: None Points:
| RE: Emotional Dependency
So my question is what is it that we lack..? I think I asked this in another thread called 'GOD!'. [/quote]
Now this is just my opinion jales..but I think that 'what' each person lacks (or needs) is going to be as personal or as different as the individual involved. But as a whole of mankind..I think people are searching for answers. Perhaps more so than ever before. Some look to science..while others towards religion and/or GOD to find those answers. Now.. if you'd had ask me what I need..I'd say the truth. I want to find the truth.. especially in reference to GOD. Which is probably why I am so into archeaology. The worst thing for me is to have lived and died without getting any of my questions answered. It would seem to me such a waste! And as far as being attached to your computer..that's normal for these times. Especially if you find a safe..happy place to reside in. |
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| 12-12-2007 07:50 AM | |
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Ekstra Member     Posts: 73 Group: Registered Joined: Nov 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood:  Points: 584.10 [View Inventory] | RE: Emotional Dependency
I'm writting an essay on Catullus at the moment and I thought this might be apporpriate in this thread because it is about emotional attachment...or maybe more like emotional addiction.
"Now that I know you, I burn for you even more fiercely, though I regard you as almost utterly worthless, How can that be, you ask? It's because such cruelty forces lust to assume the shruken place of affection."
"To such a state have I been brought by your mischief, my Lesbia, and so completely ruined by my devotion, that I couldn't think kindly of you if you did the best only, no cease to love, even if you should do -- everything."
"I hate & love. And if you asked how I can do both, I couldn't say; but I feel it and it shivers me." |
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| 12-12-2007 09:10 PM | |
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Arianna Unregistered MyMood: None Points:
| RE: Emotional Dependency
"I hate & love. And if you asked how I can do both, I couldn't say; but I feel it and it shivers me." [/quote]
Makes sense... Love and hate...the two strongest emotions in the world.. and I guess that's why they say there's a fine line between them. |
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| 12-13-2007 05:34 AM | |
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frey12 Member    Posts: 245 Group: Registered Joined: Dec 2007 Status: Offline Reputation
MyMood: None Points: 109.40
| RE: Emotional Dependency
So my question is what is it that we lack..? I think I asked this in another thread called 'GOD!'.
Now this is just my opinion jales..but I think that 'what' each person lacks (or needs) is going to be as personal or as different as the individual involved. But as a whole of mankind..I think people are searching for answers. Perhaps more so than ever before. Some look to science..while others towards religion and/or GOD to find those answers. Now.. if you'd had ask me what I need..I'd say the truth. I want to find the truth.. especially in reference to GOD. Which is probably why I am so into archeaology. The worst thing for me is to have lived and died without getting any of my questions answered. It would seem to me such a waste! And as far as being attached to your computer..that's normal for these times. Especially if you find a safe..happy place to reside in. [/quote]
God and science are not equal, because they really have nothing to do with each other. One is about observing and testing, one is about faith. Looking to science for spiritual guidance is silly or looking to science to get how all things began also silly. But also looking to a book that was written a long time ago a bit silly. Because people just dont know. And to think the people of the past knew absolutely more when we were even more primative seems off. I think a big thing we need to get is we just dont know somethings, and we really need to learn to be okay with that.
Big Bang theory is just a reset of the universe when you think about it. ps dont mean to offend I just cant resist this topic. as for whats missing to me its everything I want it all. I would fill myself with every desire had I the capability. Look at dictators.
If I had the option to live forever in misery, and loneliness, or to live a happy life with a definite end. I think I would take the first option. |
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| 12-13-2007 01:25 PM | |
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Larsen B Unregistered MyMood: None Points:
| RE: Emotional Dependency
I think there is truth in over attachment or clinginess being unhealthy. Indeed, large chunks of Buddhist philosophy are devoted to the practices of non-attachment and impermanence. I’ve tried it, am still trying it – it is extremely liberating, but i’m just not giving it the time it deserves at the moment, because of circumstances. I think i’m starting to realise though, that Buddhist non-attachment isn’t as i first imagined, and it’s easy to get wrong. I think the basic idea is truth; looking deeply into the nature of all things, the things that cause feelings of attachment. And the more you think deeply about these things, the roots of your feelings, the human qualities of attachment, what makes us tick and so on; the more you are supposed to reach a higher perspective and have more even emotions.
Some people seem to have non-attachment nailed, they are very social and, with their carefree nature, seem to make friends easily. Maybe they have a good attitude to life, but maybe some don’t too. It’s no good being a social animal if they’re not willing to be compassionate, and give time to people. Although they may have a busy, fun life, they will still feel as empty as people who don’t have many friends. And this is all too common isn’t it?
As to whether humans are missing something – well, in a sense, i think we are. We have become disconnected existentialists. Disconnected from the earth, ourselves and our communities, and pondering the meaning of life in our cold gigantic universe. In my opinion to understand the self shouldn’t involve feeding the ego with impermanent identities (which is what capitalism and consumerism does), but to understand ourselves in relation to our environment. This means putting other people, the land and the animals around us first, and us second. This is of course dreamland, we are so far away from this it seems. And global forces want to keep us firmly thinking about ourselves first. |
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| 12-22-2007 05:50 AM | |
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