Stephanie Gonzales, MA, MFT

Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community

Long Beach and Surrounding Areas

Depression & Codependency

If you have been experiencing more than 4 of the symptoms listed below, and these symptoms have persisted for at least two consecutive weeks, you may be experiencing depression:

• Crying, feelings of sadness 
  

• Feelings of isolation
  

• Depressed mood 
  

• Feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness 
  

• Loss of interest in activities, hobbies or work 
  

• Change in eating habits; weight gain or loss 
  

• Sleep problems
  

• Low energy, fatigue
  

• Trouble concentrating
  

• Constant worry
  

• Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
  

• Body Image
  

• Low Self-Esteem
  

As a therapist who often encounters people experiencing depression, I will take a supportive and cognitive behavioral approach to helping you deal with your depression.   We will work together to develop a plan of action that will help you overcome the overwhelming symptoms of depression.  Do not wait too long, seek out help as soon as possible, to address these very important issues.

Codependency

Codependency is an attitude, and style of living. People become co-dependent when they consistently allow their own needs and rights to become secondary to another's needs and rights. Co-dependence, is the act of sacrificing oneself for the sake of another's addiction.

 

• Inability to see alternatives to situations, thus responding very impulsively.
  

• Constantly seeking approval and affirmation, yet having compromised sense of self.
  

• Confusion and sense of inadequacy.
  

• Lack of self-confidence in making decisions, no sense of power in making choices.
  

• Confusion between love and pity.
  

• Tendency to look for "victims" to help.
  

• Feeling of fear, insecurity, inadequacy, guilt, hurt, and shame which are denied
  

• Inability to know what "normal" is.
  

• Difficulty having fun. 
  

• Judging self, others without mercy.
  

• Low self esteem often projected onto others. 
  

• Belief that others cause or are responsible for the codependent's emotions.
  

• Overreacting to change. 
  

• Fear of anger or bottling anger up till it explodes.
  

• Hypersensitivity to criticism.
  

• Being addicted to excitement / drama. (Chaos making.)
  

• Avoidance of relationships to guard against abandonment fears. 
  

• Rigidity and need to control.
  

• Lies when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.