Affective dependence in adolescence is a condition that should not be underestimated. On the one hand, due to the nature of this addiction; on the other hand, due to the particular moment of an individual's growth in which it occurs.
Last update: June 27, 2020
Psychology takes a long time to deal with emotional difficulties such as jealousy and emotional addiction. The latter has a number of well-defined characteristics. Let's analyze together the emotional dependence in adolescence.
Interactions between humans are always very complex. The society in which we live, the new forms of communication and the personality characteristics of each individual can predispose some subjects to suffer from emotional dependence. If it has to happen, it is very likely to occur during the adolescent period.
Affective dependence in adolescence can cause a lot of inconvenience, both to those who suffer from it and to the people around them. Let's analyze this phenomenon.
Adolescence: a phase of transition and change
If there is a word that describes this stage of life, it is definitely change. A series of changes occur in adolescence, both from a physical point of view and from a social relationship point of view. Many of them have an impact on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors of young people. It is no exaggeration to say that much of the personality is formed at this stage.
The important thing is not the changes themselves, but how they happen. Physical, emotional, social and sexual changes happen very quickly. So fast that kids often lack the knowledge and maturity to deal with them.
If we focus on emotional changes, it must be emphasized that they occur in a precise time context. Adolescence is a social phase in which external influences affect the way children are.
From an emotional point of view, children are going through a period of intense pressure. For example, it is very common that the search for acceptance, as a way to adapt to the environment around them, makes them adopt behaviors similar to the group they want to belong to. Even in couple relationships there can be tensions that generate discomfort and discomfort.
Relationships represent a new emotional bond and not all young people have the knowledge or social skills to set limits or manage communication appropriately.
Affective dependence
Although the topic of this article is emotional dependence in a couple, there are other forms, such as those towards parents or between friends (and many more). If we focus on the couple, there are many definitions of emotional dependence, but they all have the following common characteristics:
- The need (or necessity). When someone has an emotional addiction, they tend to create a need or a set of needs. For example, he has an emotional need to spend time with his partner and be accepted.
- Fear. At a very deep level, fear is at the root of emotional addiction (and even jealousy). Fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, or fear of loneliness generally cause this type of addiction.
- The reduction of freedom. There is no emotional dependence that does not have an influence on our personal freedom. Affective addictions often lead us to stop doing the things we did before (even if we liked them) and to avoid hanging out with people we were comfortable with.
- Impact on behavior, thoughts and emotions. The needs, which we talked about in the first point, influence the way of being from a behavioral, cognitive and emotional point of view. Often the perception of reality is so altered that those suffering from emotional addiction do not even notice it.
- Social isolation. To be as a couple and to dedicate yourself to your partner, you give up spending time with other people. As the days go by, those with emotional addiction will want to spend more time with their partner and less time with their circle of friends.
Affective dependence in adolescence, and beyond, can also be reciprocal. In this case we will speak of emotional codependency. It occurs when the dependence of the members of the couple is two-way. In this case the characteristics of this condition are accentuated.
When a teenager has an emotional dependence within the couple, he should not be forced to solve the problem with impositions. It is much more useful to be present to talk about it and, above all, to listen.
Support and empathy are the keys to interacting with those suffering from emotional addiction. Even if it is easily recognizable from the outside, those who live this condition do not perceive it in the same way and we must respect the times of each person.
