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Co-dependency and myth

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Abstract

Timmen Cernak’s use of Ovid’s mythological account of Narcissus and Echo as a classic case of co-dependence is critically analyzed against other interpretations. Simultaneous consideration is given to whether and to what extent the clinical concept of co-dependency has been confounded with the psychology of women in a male-oriented society. The complex and ambiguous symbolism of myth demands separation of myth from reality in describing the symptoms, etiology, and treatment of clinical co-dependence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. graduate program, School of Nursing, USA

    Joseph L. Price (professor, director)

  2. University Health Cener, at the University of Portland, Portland, Oregon

    Joseph L. Price (professor, director)

Authors
  1. Suzanne M. Mayr
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  2. Joseph L. Price
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Additional information

Suzanne M. Mayr, M.A., is executive director of Mayr Associates, a counseling and consulting firm in Portland, Oregon, specializing in intercultural services.

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Mayr, S.M., Price, J.L. Co-dependency and myth. Feminist Issues 13, 81–88 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685736

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685736

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