Codependent Doctor
Podcast focusing on codependency. Learning how to create healthier relationships, healthier self and healthier lives.
Episodes
Have you ever thought, “My parents really tried their best… but I still got hurt”? This episode dives into that exact truth—the emotional complexity of being raised by loving parents who lacked the tools to meet all your needs.
Dr. Angela Downey shares her story from both sides:
- As a child with unmet emotional needs
- And as a mother navigating burnout while trying to give her kids everything
We explore how:
Have you ever felt the quiet pressure to “just get over it” after someone broke your trust?
Maybe they apologized. Maybe they didn’t. But something inside you still feels unsettled.
Trust doesn’t rebuild overnight. It takes consistency, accountability, and the slow return of emotional safety—not just a quick “I’m sorry.”
In this episode, we explore:
- Why trust feels like emotional debt, not a switch you can flip
- How codependent patte...
Do Father’s Day celebrations leave you feeling hollow instead of happy? You’re not alone.
In this raw, candid conversation, we explore the grief that comes with having a father who was physically present but emotionally absent—a special kind of loss that often goes unspoken.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- The lasting impact of emotional neglect on self-worth and relationships
- How we internalize the absence of emotional warmth ...
Codependency doesn't just affect romantic relationships—it can appear in our friendships too, creating anxiety, over-functioning, and emotional entanglement that feels just as intense without the relationship label. Emotional intimacy is emotional intimacy, regardless of whether it's with a friend or partner, and our attachment patterns don't discriminate.
• Friendships lack the clear definitions and expecta...
Mental health and codependency intersect in profound ways that affect how we treat ourselves, not just our relationships with others. We explore four key patterns that keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, guilt, and emotional exhaustion while providing practical steps toward healing.
We will explore how:
• People-pleasing isn't just politeness but a nervous system survival response developed in childhood
• Self-abandonme...
In this bonus episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Angela Downey shares five powerful mindset shifts that challenge how we think about healing and self-care:
- Healing isn’t linear — Growth often looks messy, not perfect.
- You can struggle and still be strong — Vulnerability is courage, not weakness.
- Feeling your feelings isn’t weakness — Emotions are messengers, not problems to fix.
- Rest is productive — You don’t need to ea...
If you’ve always been “the strong one,” this episode on emotional neglect may explain why relationships still feel hard.
Emotional neglect isn’t about what happened, but what didn’t.
- Your needs were likely invisible
- You learned to be low-maintenance to feel loved
- You felt “too much” for having emotions
This early conditioning creates:
- Codependency
- People-pleasing
- Attraction to emotionally unavailable partners
At the root i...
Ever say “it’s not that bad” while feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? This Mental Health Awareness Month bonus episode explores high-functioning distress—when you seem fine on the outside but feel drained inside.
Dr. Angela Downey shares personal insights on why codependents, people pleasers, and overachievers often downplay their struggles. She reminds us that functioning isn’t thriving, and you don’t need to hit rock bottom to dese...
In this episode, I unpack love bombing—those intense early displays of affection that can feel amazing but often mask emotional manipulation.
I share a personal story (yes, I introduced someone to my family after one date!) to show how easy it is to confuse intensity with connection.
We explore:
- What love bombing looks like
- Why it’s so effective (especially for those with unmet emotional needs)
- Red flags like pressure, overwhelm, an...
We often think healing requires big life changes—but the most powerful mental health shifts often come from small, consistent habits.
In this Mental Health Awareness Month bonus episode, I share six mindset shifts that helped me heal from codependency and burnout.
- Pausing before saying yes
- Speaking to myself with more kindness
- Setting quiet boundaries
- Embracing rest without guilt
These aren’t dramatic changes—they’re small, sust...
In this episode, I explore the silent treatment—why it’s used, how it hurts, and how to recognize it as emotional withdrawal, not healthy conflict resolution.
We cover:
- How the silent treatment triggers shame, anxiety, and confusion
- Why some people use it (control, immaturity, learned behavior)
- The lasting damage it causes in relationships
I share personal stories and offer tools to:
- Set boundaries
- Recognize your worth
- Reflect...
What does mental health care look like between therapy sessions and diagnoses?
In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode, I explore the daily habits that support emotional well-being—especially for those of us with codependent tendencies.
We cover:
- Why your “lizard brain” still jumps to worst-case scenarios
- How asking “what do I need today?” can feel hard but healing
- Small practices that build resilience: saying no, resting earl...
In this episode, I explore what happens when we lose ourselves in the roles we play—doctor, parent, caregiver—and forget who we are beyond them.
We cover:
- How tying self-worth to titles leads to burnout and identity loss
- Societal pressure to equate value with productivity
- My personal journey of redefining myself outside of being “just a doctor”
I share practical ways to reconnect with your true self:
- Spend time alone
- Revisit ...
Healing is powerful—but it can also feel lonely. In this episode, I explore the emotional shift that happens when you set boundaries and leave behind people-pleasing.
We discuss:
- Why loneliness is a normal part of growth
- How relationships may shift as you change
- How to embrace the quiet instead of fearing it
I also share tools to help you:
- Reconnect with yourself
- Explore joy and curiosity
- Find safe, supportive spaces
Lonel...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complex and often misunderstood concept of "victim mode." As a family doctor and fellow codependent, I understand that many of us have experienced feelings of powerlessness, especially after trauma, burnout, or in the context of codependency. This episode is designed to foster compassion and self-awareness, rather than judgment, as we explore how victim mode mani...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I dive deep into the topic of burnout, a personal experience that has significantly shaped my life and career. Burnout is more than just feeling tired; it's a profound exhaustion that affects our body, mind, and emotions, often creeping up on us until we hit a breaking point. I share my own struggles with burnout, including moments of emotional outbursts and the toll it took on my hea...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complex emotions of jealousy and envy—two feelings that many of us grapple with but often struggle to understand. As we explore these emotions, I aim to shed light on how they can impact our self-worth and relationships, particularly in the context of codependency.
I begin by discussing the common experience of feeling jealous or envious, whether it’s triggered by a friend’...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complexities of gender identity and the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the context of codependency. I begin by emphasizing the importance of acceptance and respect for all individuals, regardless of their differences. I share my unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community and create a safe space for open dialogue.
Throughout history, human diversity ha...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the intricate relationship between addiction and mental health, emphasizing that addiction is often a coping mechanism for underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. As we wrap up the fifth and final episode of my miniseries on addictions, I explore various co-occurring mental health conditions that frequently accompany addiction and how they can exacerbate...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor we delve into the often-overlooked impact of addiction on loved ones who are not the ones struggling with substance use. While previous episodes have focused on the individual battling addiction, today, I want to shine a light on the emotional turmoil faced by partners, family members, and friends who find their lives intertwined with someone else's addiction.
I begin by acknowledging...
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