Codependent No More - How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself Description:

Codependent No More : How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself review:
5 stars (My new hero) - Melody Beattie is my new hero. She has walked through the trenches, fought the battle and lived not only to tell about it, but to offer hope for those of us who are still in the battlefield or still shell shocked from the trauma of it all. I recognized myself in her descriptions of a co-dependent, sometimes painfully so. I had to put the book down a time or two, because I felt she came right off the page to knock me into reality. I heard of the book from Dr. Irene's verbal abuse site [...] which stated this book is a must read for those of us with codependent behavior. I have to agree. I am looking forward to applying my newfound knowledge and the confidence acquired from it in oncoming life situations. I hope to become my own new hero.
4 stars (just what I needed) - I am currently reading this book and loving it. I am taking a long time to finish it because it is so deep. It is easy reading, but in order to get much out of it you really have to read it slowly and of course change your wrong behavior, one step at a time. I like the fact that the author tells you that change does take time. It seldom happens overnight. Very comforting for someone who wants to see huge changes overnight. I also like that she encourages you to have a relationship with God. He is the only one whom we are supposed to be codependent with. Eveyone else is imperfect, just like me.

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5 stars (Great Truth About the Causes of Relationship Pain) - In `Codependent No More', Melody Beattie sheds great awareness of the patterns that people are engaged in that lead to pain. Termed `Codependent' Beattie clearly and honestly outlines the behaviors, reactions, responses and patterns that are prevalent in codependent relationships. Control is a major factor, that is, that you are trying to control the other person to get what you want out of the relationship, which leaves you feeling drained and depleted.



She gives wonderful questions in the book that you can answer to bring your own patterns into awareness so that you can overcome them. This book is a significant help in moving beyond the pain of the past. If you have been experiencing relationship pain, I think this book will help you in many ways. Along with this book that has helped me in this area is Barbara Rose's `Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being The One'. Breaking and recognizing the patterns that lead to pain is crucial to overcoming them. Both books have brought me out of pain and are excellent guides to authentic self empowerment.