A codependent is loosely defined as someone who cares “too much” while caring for a person who depends on him or her. Symptoms of codependence are controlling behavior, distrust, perfectionism, avoidance of feelings, excessive caretaking, hypervigilence or physical illness related to stress. Codependence is often accompanied by depression, as the codependent person succumbs to feelings of frustration or sadness over his or her inability to improve the situation.