Suffering From Emotional Dependency

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Suffering From Emotional Dependency - By: Victor Epand, Posted on: 2007-07-11

In my travels I have noticed many devotees suffering from the effects of emotional dependency or attempting to free themselves from emotional dependency. I am impelled by my desire/need to help devotees to write about this subject. Emotional dependency can affect GBCs, presidents, Gurus, brahmacaries, householders, disciples, authorities, preachers, husbands, wives, gurukulis, sannyasis, vanaprasthas, children, women, and just about everyone else.

The symptoms of emotional dependency differ from person to person and may include depression, anxiety, anger, backaches, headaches, heartaches, regressive traits, over dependence, violence, etc. There are two basic categories of persons who are emotionally dependent in our society. One is the dominant authority figure, and the other is the person who is emotionally dependent upon the authority figure.

Both types of personalities suffer due to this dynamic. In addition one may be emotionally dependent upon an institution and the institutional paradigms may foster this understanding. In a hierarchical institution there is a greater predominance of emotional bondage. In a position of authority one assumes responsibility for persons under him/her in the hierarchy. This is a paternal situation.

When the subordinate person does not live up to the authorities' expectations, the authority experiences it as his personal failing in much the same way as a parent experiences the failures of the minor child. He feels like a complete failure. Between the parent and minor child this dynamic may be useful for some time, but between two adults it leads to many mental and physical repercussions for the authority figure as well as the person who is being cared for.

In the beginning of the relationship the authority figure is fixed on the idea that he/she is responsible for the dependent's emotional well being, spiritual well being, or material well being. When the dependent acts or thinks in a way that runs contrary to the authorities concept of "well being," the authority may feel guilt (he feels that it is his fault), or the authority may get angry or manifest a variety of other emotions.

If the authority has dominion over multiple living entities and maintains his attitude that he is responsible in every which way (mostly for things completely outside of his control), the authority may eventually become exhausted and even sick because he is carrying the emotional burden of guilt and unhealthy caring. The next stage for the authority may be what I call the rebellious stage in which the authority is absolutely rejecting all responsibility for the dependent and doesn't even want to talk to the dependent.

The dependent also may go through various stages. Many people are very enthusiastic to enter into a relationship where they will be cared for in ways that only a child should be. It takes great strength of character to be independently thoughtful, as Srila Prabhupada wanted us to be.

The Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful. In Srila Prabhupada's letter to Karandhara, Bombay 22 December, 1972, "Even though being cared for inappropriately may feel 'warm and fuzzy' to one at first, ultimately it leads to dysfunctionality as one loses his/her self-esteem and self-confidence."

In fact one may say that a vital part of his being atrophies. Generally, though a dependent person is not satisfied with the care he is receiving, and may become more needy as time goes on. What may happen is that when these needs are not fulfilled the dependent person becomes despondent, or bitter and may reject the care of the caregiver and even consider the caregiver his enemy.

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