The Codependent Flip Pattern: Revealing a Common Relationship Dynamic

One of the most common patterns that leads to a person flipping in a relationship is the codependent flip pattern. This pattern is a result of dysfunctional family systems where children learn to vie for their own best interests and create adaptations to feel safe. Codependency is an adaptive relationship strategy where individuals sacrifice parts of themselves to meet the needs of others, in exchange for attuned emotional connection. The codependent flip pattern occurs when someone enters a relationship by creating a false sense of confluence, suppressing personal truths and sacrificing themselves to conform. When this strategy fails, the person flips into a narcissistic style of relating, expecting the other person to now sacrifice for their best interests. This pattern causes history to be rewritten and can drastically affect a person's trust and belief in future relationships.