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I am struggling with codependency and depression. I cannot afford therapy. What can I do to get help?

196 Answers
Last Updated: 04/24/2022 at 3:02pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Ashley Cox, LMHC

Counselor

Ready for a happier, healthier life? I specialize in transformative therapy that empowers you to thrive.

Top Rated Answers
ImDom
March 31st, 2018 8:14pm
Download app like this it’s free help and people are willing to listen and help you in these type of situations
Anonymous
April 1st, 2018 6:25am
Join support groups! Talk to friends. Find free therapy organizations. Coda is a great source for people with dependency issues.
sereneShoulder53
April 15th, 2018 9:00am
We actually have an online therapist available on this platform if you are interested you can check it out here (http://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/)
Nasrz8
April 19th, 2018 9:26am
You can read books, watch videos that can help your case even alittle. Overcoming hardships in general can come in many ways, but the main engine for that is your willing to overcoming them.
richyShiny39
April 21st, 2018 8:47pm
Relate to groups here.Also you can get a listener.Can listen to advice on dr podcasts. Also pets.if you can afford.
Anonymous
April 22nd, 2018 5:10am
You must now take it upon yourself to take actionable steps and goals to lead you in the right direction. A good start might be finding a forum or server where you can discuss your situation with people in a similar situation.
Anonymous
April 25th, 2018 4:22pm
See your family doctor who can make referrals to therapy services that are available in your area that don't charge
dgcato
April 26th, 2018 2:26am
Find an free online service to get counseling. Talk to some close friends or family about your mental health.
ChocoboSteak
May 4th, 2018 9:51am
When dealing with depression, your social support is your biggest asset. Talk to your friends and family. They have been there for you before your current problems, and will most likely see you through the bad times.
Anonymous
May 6th, 2018 11:12pm
You can try the website 7cupsoftea ! This FREE website has trained listeners always willing to talk to you, as well as free therapists. I've signed up when I was too afraid to ask my parents for therapy as a teen, and it changed my life. Everyone is always so willing and helpful, and now I am a trained listener as well! I hope you join our community soon.
CalmPassion78
May 8th, 2018 6:44pm
I practice yoga and meditate/pray at least once a week. I try talking to people that I feel safe with as soon as I start feeling depressed.
FriendlyNeighbour17
May 31st, 2018 12:33am
speak with those that you trust e.g. parents or friends. if those aren't available please use 7 cups!
colorfulWaves56
June 17th, 2018 11:04pm
You can talk on here to the listeners and we can help you work on your emotions. Even though listeners cannot give professional advice we are there in case you ever feel the need to vent.
LucieG
June 20th, 2018 9:31am
You could possibly try a free mental health phone line or try an online chat with a help centre. Depending on where you live, most countries have a was to access suport
Anonymous
June 21st, 2018 4:10am
Maybe you can found someone with an open mind and talk like if this person was your therapist, someone in who you trust and you feel comfortable to talk about
Anonymous
June 24th, 2018 11:29pm
7 Cups is free and offers great support from many members who are always available and happy to help.
Brittany8013
July 11th, 2018 3:23am
First of all, good for you for reaching out! Searching for local support groups may be one of your best bets. however, there are also plenty of online resources such as 7 cups of tea, facebook, other forms of social media, crisis lines, etc.
Anonymous
July 12th, 2018 5:46am
Ask a loved one or friend for help. Communicate with them by phone or text. You can't hide from mental illness.
Anonymous
July 22nd, 2018 7:46am
You can get help here. There are so many listeners on 7cups- you can write them and they will help you. But the biggest help is you because I can’t change it when you don’t want to. Just write a listener and see what happens. If you are feeling like nothing helps, please tell your family or friend. You can also call a helpline. Talking also helps.
Kayaondra02
July 22nd, 2018 4:37pm
The answer is right underneath your fingertips!! Create a member profile on here, if you don’t already have one, and find a “listener” near you! There are 100’s of kind and caring people on here that can help you with any situation! We are not real therapists though, so we’re not professional. But we do go through training, so your not stuck with just anybody.
Anonymous
December 13th, 2018 4:35pm
At 7 Cups, you can find some help, by just having someone listen to you as you talk about your issues and figure some stuff out. The self-help guides on here can help too. You can read about other people going through the same struggles, if you surf google, search specific questions, for example, how to get better at being codependent, you may find some answers or some insight at the least. You can find videos on maybe youtube, dealing with those topics, and all the while, everything you learn all by yourself, you can share and reflect on it as you talk with a listener here, as you make progress.
Rebeccapersoncentred
January 11th, 2019 1:42pm
You could start by talking to a listener on 7 cups for free. There are often free or donation based therapy options in your community depending where you live. My suggestion for where to start at home would be to try and do something for yourself and set goals. This could be once a day / week, whatever seems easiest. If you are codependent let that person know so they can help you. Be kind to yourself and to the person you are dependent on. It will help your relationship and it will help you feel better. It will likely be a slow process. Self care is important!
Anonymous
February 16th, 2019 1:53pm
7 cups is a great app to talk to people about things you’re going through. Going to the doctor to get medication is also another choice that would be good. You don’t always need therapy! You can even try talking to friends and family. That could possibly be your therapy if you can’t go see a professional. Letting your feelings out to your friends, family, or even people around you... can be very helpful sometimes. Letting go of what’s in your head is sometimes a good thing. Even if you don’t want to talk about it. It’s always nice!
kindLynx91
April 7th, 2019 8:34am
Talking on 7 Cups to a listener is a good way to slowly think about some of the issues that you are facing. Take the time to reach out for a supportive chat and see how things go. You may find that having someone to listen is helpful in figuring out the feelings of a lack of independence and while the listeners can not specifically advise you of what to specifically do they can help listen to your ideas and thoughts. Having to confidence to move forward means that you are very brave and reaching out to talk to listeners can be a positive experience that helps with your personal journey.
BellaDearHereToHelp
May 1st, 2019 1:39pm
Come to 7cups like I did. Talk to your parents or friends or other relatives. Utilize healthy coping skills like drawing and music. You can talk to a teacher or a guidance counselor those guys are helpful too. You could also try to get financial help through your school or another government organization that may help pay for your therapy. You could try journaling. Just write down everything you would say if you were talking to a therapist and then read it out loud if that helps. You have to find what works for you and stick with it. I don't know if I was helpful but it's just my opinion...
fairyava
May 16th, 2019 5:57pm
Codependency is a struggle that may be stemming from loneliness, which may be coming from depression. Feeling like you cannot be away from another person is a difficult situation, because it leads to an emptiness when you do happen to be away. Codependency can lead to feelings of insecurity, worthlessness and frustration. Connecting to a listener on 7cups, working through mental health worksheets that you can print out, trying to spend more time focusing on your self-care and trying to connect with other friends are all healthy ways of coping with both codependency and depression. There will always be people there for you who are willing to help, and you have come to the right place.
ingeneousMoment6584
August 8th, 2019 6:19am
Like a moth to the flame, codependency is often exhausting, with feelings of hopelessness when everything you do is either never enough, or not quite right. Learn to trust in others that they can take care of what they need to get done and that they can work their way through their own struggles. You might like to try free or inexpensive online courses that can help break the pattern of behaviour. There may be informative videos from psychologists or counsellors that can help you understand ways to overcome it. Start looking at ways that you can meet your own needs because often codependent people put off taking care of themselves, start with small things that you enjoy and then aim for larger goals.
MissLisa
August 22nd, 2019 3:08pm
Therapy can be very useful but also very expensive. There is a wealth of information and support out there on codependency and depression. You will find a lot of information, tips and support for depression on the 7 cups of tea website. There are also a lot of information online with various forums and online support groups. Perhaps you could research support groups in your local area which you can attend in person. You may find it helpful to read self help guides. Keep in mind exercise is very beneficial even if it is just getting outside and going on a walk.
sachINcredible
July 21st, 2021 2:17pm
An ideal free first step, in my opinion, would be to talk to some trained listeners here on 7cups. It may help you understand the reasons behind your codependency and depression. Once you understand the reason behind your codependency and depressions, you can discuss with your listener and devise some SMART goals to overcome it. A great source to understand the reason behind codependency would be to explore your childhood and understand your attachment patterns with different people. I feel it will help you understand how it translates to current relationships and how it might be linked to your depression too.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2021 4:28pm
I was struggling with depression for quite sometime. I never knew I was in depression until recently I came across another peer suffering with depression. I could totally relate to whatever she said and felt. It began by just withdrawing myself from social media platforms and isolating myself. I would never answer calls or reply to messages. I cut off myself from all my school friends and wished to be alone. I was indulged in overthinking, lost my appetite, lost interest in doing things I liked once, lost sleep. I was crying for help from within but was fearful that my people might judge me, which made me shut. Also going for therapy meant telling me family what I am going through and adding up costs. But then I came across 7 cups, and it brought me a step closer to open up my heart to somebody. I started feeling lighter after talking to online listeners. It still is helping me a lot.