In today's episode, I'm joined by Sherry Gaba, who has a clinical background with addiction and codependency, and we discuss where people get stuck with codependency. We talk about how problematic codependency can be and the loss of self that accompanies an unequal relationship.

She talks about codependency often involves an inability to control or abstain from compulsive behavior, why codependency affects females and males equally, and how the combination of narcissists and a codependent person can be particularly problematic.

Listen in to learn how trauma plays a role in codependency, why the healing starts with awareness, and how one can start connecting with themself.

(Please listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript to hear explanations, stories, and examples.)

Bio:

Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and life coach who helps people cope with codependency, addictions, trauma, and mental health issues. As a leading expert on addiction and recovery, Sherry's TV appearances include: Vh1's Celebrity Rehab, CNN, Inside Edition, the Robert Irvine Show, among others. Sherry is the author of the Amazon best seller Love Smacked: How to Stop the Cycle of Relationship Addiction and Codependency to Find Everlasting Love and Infinite Recovery which addresses addiction and alcoholism thru the lens of the law of attraction.

In this episode, Sherry Gaba and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss:

• What codependency is and what it looks like
• The addiction aspect of codependency inside relationships
• The obsessive and compulsive tendencies with codependency
• How being a people pleaser can lead to codependency
• A lack of boundaries and saying yes to every request is a sign of codependency
• How repetition compulsion plays into codependency
• The dynamic between narcissism and codependency
• Types of history that can feed into codependency
• The role shame has to play in relationships
• Importance of asking yourself 'who am I?'
• How resentment shows up in codependency
• Why you should say no and understand your personal and physical boundaries

Mentioned

• Visit Sherry Gaba on the web
• Wake Up Recovery Codependency Quiz
• Become a Member of Wake Up Recovery
• Sherry Gaba, LCSW and Author of Love Smacked: How to Stop the Cycle of Relationship Addiction and Codependency to find Everlasting Love * and Wake Up Recovery for Codependents

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