People who are codependent often demand a lot from a relationship. The codependent will expect the other partner to provide happiness and fulfillment. Breaking up with a codependent takes great honesty, advises clinical psychologist Roberta Cone in her article "Romantic Myths and Ending the Codependent Relationship" on her website Site for Creative Solutions. The destructive nature of codependency may be overlooked by the codependent individual. Be honest but sensitive. Explain, without blame, why you are no longer interested in pursuing the relationship.

Once you decide to break up with a codependent person, it is important you stand your ground. The codependent person may try to control you through manipulation of emotions, according to the article "For Men: Eleven Signs You're in a Codependent Relationship And How to Get Out," published on the codependency assistance website Codependence Freedom. You should be prepared for the codependent partner to lash out in anger, frustration and hurt. By removing yourself from the situation, you can isolate your exposure to the codependent. If issues such as harassment or stalking become a problem, it may be best to call the authorities and possible consult a counselor for assistance.

When you initiate a breakup with a codependent person, it is important set boundaries. Codependents are notorious for attempting to manipulate the other partner, says licensed professional counselor Chris Lewis in his article "Okay, Okay So I'm Codependent Already! Now Fix It!" published on the Maria Droste Counseling Center website. When you break up with your codependent partner, set up boundaries for limiting or stopping all contact. The clearer you are with your expectations, the less is left up to the interpretation of the codependent.

While a codependent person has many issues with control, low self-esteem and hyper-critical behavior, something attracted you to this person in the first place. In order to break off your codependent relationship, it can be helpful to strengthen your own self-esteem and emotional health in order to remain strong during the time, recommends Ph.D. student in psychology and social behavior Melissa Karnaze in her article "End a Codependent Relationship the Healthy Way" on her website Mindful Construct. You may need to seek personal counseling in order to deal with your emotions and the codependent partner's actions during the breakup.