Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives

By: Pia Mellody, Andrea Wells Miller, J. Keith Miller

Narrated by: Nathan McMillan

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Revised and updated with over 600,000 copies sold.

Pia Mellody creates a framework for identifying codependent thinking, emotions and behaviour and provides an effective approach to recovery. Mellody sets forth five primary adult symptoms of this crippling condition, then traces their origin to emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical and sexual abuses that occur in childhood. Central to Mellody's approach is the concept that the codependent adult's injured inner child needs healing. Recovery from codependence, therefore, involves clearing up the toxic emotions left over from these painful childhood experiences.

©2003 Pia Mellody (P)2019 Pia Mellody

Heartbreaking yet healing

It is the slap on the face that perhaps you need. However, I (and my therapist) would not recomend this book if you are just waking up to toxicity in your relationships. Wait like 3 years in therapy to start this, otherwise I bet you’ll become defensive about your behavior or your abusers’ behaviors.
And in another note, maybe it’s my spiritual trauma talking, but I dislike how pushy she is with “the higher power” very christian of her... and I don’t trust christians in any spiritual related stuff, because of this tendency to push down peoples throat their ideology.

Good book; just a little bit too detailed.

The book covers every scenario possible which I found overwhelming. I struggle with the wood codependency as to the context of the material in it.
That said, it does open your eyes to how some of the simplest things we do as parents can effect us later in life.

Wonderful Explanation

This book explained codependence very well and made me better understand parts of myself that made me feel crazy. This book will be a part of my life forever.

I finally found the book that helped after 20+ yrs

Omgosh, for 20+ years - even though I've read what seems like every personal development book out there - this is the first book that described my life to a T, made me finally see why I am the way I am and why I've done/do the things I do. This book is the biggest relief when I thought I'd never figure out what was wrong with me and is now the #1 book I'll recommend to ANYONE with issues because codependence is probably the underlying reason. Excellent! 👏👏

Great Overview of Codepence

This book was recommended by my therapist. It’s a clear and easy to understand guide to understanding what codependence is, how it manifests, and how it impacts lives. I strongly recommend for anyone starting to explore the topic.

Best Explanation & Examples of Codependence!

This book was first recommended to me in 2009. It’s easy to read and full of the author’s experiences and her patient’s challenges. Once you can identify what traits you possess (if you do), you can go to work to healing and changing the behavior. It’s lifelong work but in order to heal, you must first admit what’s not working. I’ve recommended this book to dozens of people I’ve met over the past 12 years and I was ecstatic to see it available on Audible. Since this work isn’t something you master with a one and done, I’ve come back to read it and reference it many times over the years. So, if it resonates with you, it’s nice to have a physical copy of the book available, too. It would be fabulous to hear the author’s voice, but I am grateful for this version regardless. Highly recommend!

Voice Over

I would have preferred a softer woman’s voice. The narrator is cold and it does not lend itself to easy listening.

Everyone needs to read this book!

This is a must read book for everyone! This book has made me understand and answer many questions….

Helpful and Interesting

The content of this book was well laid out, cohesive, and very helpful. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about codependence, thinks they could be codependent, or know someone who is codependent.

Great insight

Read this if you are a man who grew up with a narcissistic mother or a woman who grew up with a narcissistic father. It helps you to not project your opposite gender parent issue onto an entire gender as an adult.