A disease of one's own

by John Steadman Rice

A Disease of One's Own examines the phenomenon of co-dependency from a sociological perspective, viewing it not as something a person "has,"--But as something a person believes; not as a psychological disease, but as a belief system that offers its adherents a particular way of talking about the self and social relationships. The central question addressed by the book is: Why did co-dependency - one among a plethora of already-existing discourses on self-help - meet with such widespread public appeal? Grounded in theories of cultural and social change, John Steadman Rice argues that this question can only be adequately addressed by examining the social, cultural, and historical context in which co-dependency was created and found a receptive public; the content of the ideas it espoused; and the practical uses to which co-dependency's adherents could apply those ideas in their everyday lives. In terms of the larger American context, his analysis links the emergence of co-dependency with