The Dysregulated Podcast: Recent Episodes
Elliot Thomas Waters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
CONTENT WARNING: Themes of suicidaility and drug use
Back in Newcastle for the weekend, I jump in the car and let the city tell the story. We drive past the places that shaped me, from the University of Newcastle and the pressure of honours, to the Mater Hospital where survival became the priority. It's a raw, real-time reflection on what it's like returning to the streets that forged you.
Along the way I talk about living with ADHD, autism and borderline personality disorder, and how that mix can fuel loneliness, validation seeking and the feeling of never quite being enough. I also unpack the reality of drugs and alcohol, not as a way to have fun, but as a way so many people try to cope, function and simply make it through the day.
We finish down at the beaches where I used to do some of my deepest thinking, reflecting on social anxiety, recovery, and the strange feeling of loving your hometown while knowing you had to leave it to survive.
If this episode resonates with you, I'd love it if you subscribed, left a rating, and shared it with someone who might need to hear it.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Anxiety doesn’t always show up when something goes wrong. Sometimes it hits hardest when nothing’s happening at all. Sitting in the bunk at Ravensworth (Hunter Valley) with the UHF crackling and a two-hour wait ahead of me, my brain starts running wild, replaying mistakes that haven’t happened, imagining consequences, and convincing me they’re inevitable.
In this episode I talk about catastrophising—that classic anxiety trap where your mind treats imagined disasters as reality. I explain why logic and CBT can help me realise there’s no evidence for what I’m fearing, but often don’t switch off the physical anxiety. When the situation is a one out of ten but your anxiety is sitting at a nine, that mismatch can make an ordinary workday feel unbearable.
I also share one coping strategy that genuinely helps me: borrowing confidence from people I admire. Whether it’s listening to someone like Stone Cold Steve Austin or reminding myself how they'd approach the situation, it can be enough to interrupt the spiral and keep moving forward.
If you're living with anxiety, depression, or both, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone. If it resonates, I'd really appreciate you subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Why is it so hard to do things that should be easy?
In this episode, I unpack a pattern that has followed me for as long as I can remember: putting off even the simplest tasks until they build into a mountain of overwhelm.
From shaving and grocery shopping to university commitments, podcast episodes and launching Resilient Roadways, I explore what happens when ADHD and Generalised Anxiety Disorder collide. For me, anxiety isn't something that appears only during stressful moments. It's a constant companion. A handbrake that never fully releases.
I talk about living in freeze mode, the exhausting cycle of avoidance and panic, and the frustration of knowing exactly what needs to be done while feeling unable to do it.
Along the way, I reflect on trucking life, the challenge of finding balance, why anxiety follows me even into some of the greatest moments of my life, and how these struggles continue to shape the purpose I'm pursuing through mental health advocacy.
If you've ever looked at a simple task and felt completely overwhelmed, this episode is for you.
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Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Driving through Newcastle in the rain, I found myself asking the question I hate considering after recording: what if being honest does more harm than good?
This episode is about loneliness, uncertainty, and the fear that some parts of life might never happen the way you imagined. I talk about living between Newcastle and Wodonga, long days in trucks, coming home exhausted, and wondering whether relationships, family and friendships are realistic goals for me, or whether my life is taking a different path. A path that’s clearly defined and (hopefully) attainable, but missing so much.
I reflect on the realities of battling Autism, BPD, OCD, ADHD, bipolar II, anxiety, depression and the rest. How therapy and my obsessive efforts to understand myself have worked, and yet the strange paradox that insight can definitely help, but too much insight can trap you in your own head. And how this hyper awareness of my thoughts, emotions and behaviours has hindered me so much, yet helped immeasurably as well.
Finally I explain how I’m re-collaborating the podcast, and returning to episodes focused on the science of psychology, different therapeutic approaches and interventions, the academic research and what it can tell us about human behaviour, as well as further exploration of my past and the moments that have shaped who I am today. That means more Discharge Papers, more Psych Ward Stories, My Journal entries and episodes of those pivotal moments that explain so much of today.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
The highway is supposed to be quiet, but my mind never is. On a 9pm drive from Newcastle down the Hume Highway (M31) toward Wodonga, I record another Highway Confessions and let you sit in the passenger seat that is usually empty. What starts as my favourite coping strategy for complex mental health quickly turns into the kind of deep thinking that can feel like standing too close to a fire, warm at first, then painful when you cannot pull away.
I talk honestly about loneliness, being single, and the fear that life will end with a list of regrets. From there I go straight into mortality and death anxiety, the stuff many people can filter out but I cannot. I share what it is like to carry those thoughts while trying to live a normal life, and why stress and mood can make the same themes feel heavier on some nights than others.
There is light in it too. I push back against the spiral with something real: meaning and purpose. I am going for my dream in trucking, and even when the job scares me, it is proof that I am not sitting still. Along the way I reflect on gratitude, mindfulness, positive psychology, and the spiritual questions that show up under the stars, including memories of my grandparents and thoughts about my dad.
If you have ever felt stuck in your head, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar in the best way. Subscribe to “The Dysregulated Podcast”, share it with a mate who needs it, and leave a review so more people who live with mental illness can find honest stories like this.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Six weeks into my new job and it’s been one long stretch of anxiety. I’m recording this on the Hume Highway, driving between Newcastle and Wodonga, finally explaining why I’ve gone quiet. I’ve thrown myself into learning truckin’ properly—Road Ranger gearboxes, reversing semi trailers, using the dogs annd chains. And the pressure? Relentless.
This episode dives into what it’s like starting from zero while your head is working against you. Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and an inner critic that turns small corrections into “proof” you’re failing. I break down the two anxiety streams driving it all—performance anxiety, and the fear of not belonging.
Underneath it all is my meaning and purpose. This isn’t just a job, it’s tied to Resilient Roadways and something bigger. My vision. And it’s that meaning and purpose that keeps me going. But, it also raises the stakes. If I can pull this off? My legacy is assured. But if I fail, my very existence could be on the line once again.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
After years focused on mental health, I’ve made the call to return to the transport industry. To try and live out my dream, but with a new sense of purpose.
In this episode, I unpack why; the pull of the highway, the reality of stepping back into an environment that still makes me anxious, and what it means to start again from the ground up. There’s no polished blueprint here yet, just an honest look at where I’m at and what I’m stepping into.
More importantly, this is the beginning of something bigger. I’m not leaving mental health advocacy and research behind — I’m bringing it with me, with the goal of connecting lived experience, psychology, and the realities of life on the road in a way that actually makes sense for the people doing the job. And if I can do that? Then hopefully the mental health of those in the industry will may be lifted.
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
It’s 2:40am on the highway, driving home to Newcastle. No planning or preparation with this one — just the road and all my mind has been contending with. The same obsessions, the same questions. But tonight? It’s gone up a gear.
I get into the deep stuff, the thoughts that have followed me for years — why do bad things happen to good people? — and where that leads: loneliness, relationships, and life back in transport. The fact that we all are carrying our own burdens, fighting our own battles. While I grapple in real time the injustice of it all. When it seems the world is asleep, my mind goes to work. Trying to solve the why, even though I know the answers are beyond my reach….
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Some days are flat. The milestones drift. The questions feel heavier than they should. In this episode, I talk honestly about pressing pause on romance and pouring that energy into purpose — advocacy, community, and building work that actually fits the season I’m in.
We unpack life with multiple diagnoses — generalised anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, BPD, bipolar II — without turning identity into a checklist. Dysregulated Daily is my way of showing the real picture: the wins, the losses, and the long grey in between. Because when crisis hits, people don’t need perfect answers. They need someone to sit beside them. Go to ED. Wait the hours. Support beats speeches every time. Trust me.
I dig into stigma — especially around Borderline Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Schizoaffective disorder — and why research needs to be translated into something human, usable, and real. With one in five Australians facing a diagnosable mental health condition, making care clearer and more navigable isn’t optional. It’s urgent. And it's in the public best interest.
I don’t have everything figured out. God, I am trying hard to figure it out though, But I’m steady on the mission. If this episode resonates, follow Dysregulated Daily, on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube share it with someone who needs it, and leave a rating so these conversations can reach further. And best of all? I got that little dopamine hit. So thank you!
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Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Ever felt calmer in a roaring stadium than a quiet supermarket? In this episode, I unpack the strange maths of social anxiety and autism — and why a packed night at McDonald Jones Stadium can feel safer than a fluorescent aisle at Coles. I walk you through hyper-vigilance, sensory overload, and the stories my brain spins when I’m late, lost, or convinced someone’s in “my” seat. And underneath it all? Love. Love for the Newcastle Knights, for red and blue, and for the city that built me.
We talk social batteries — how sleep and solitude recharge them, but not always in time for kickoff. When that battery’s low, catastrophising creeps in fast. Small unknowns become full-blown internal conflict scenes. But there’s a second battery too: passion. Identity. Ritual. Loyalty. The chants, the banter, the stubborn belief the ref needs a reminder about the offside rule. Sometimes it’s magic. Sometimes I’m completely cooked by halftime. Both are true.
I also share the story behind my Pride of the Hunter banner — why it fires me up, why people look for it on TV, and why part of me still worries I’m in the way. If you live with anxiety or sensory sensitivity, you’ll recognise the push-pull of doing what you love while your nervous system screams no. The takeaways? Anchor to values. Accept the nerves. Convert adrenaline into purpose. And plan recovery like it matters — because it absolutely does.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Right, picture this. It’s 2:30am. I’ve been bounced off half of Sydney’s motorways on the way back from Albury-Wodonga, the NSW/VIC border, and I’m talking myself through a full-blown panic attack because, well, everyone else is asleep. Zzzz
Today started as a quick meet and greet and hit top gear — strapping freight, riding in an Kenworth and remembering why I love the transport industry so much. I’m trying to build something that brings trucking and mental health together… and for most of the day, I felt real purpose and inspired.
Then, I hit Sydney.
First, the M7 shuts. No biggie, I keep on truckin’.
Then, NorthConnex shuts. Just my luck.
Roadworks everywhere. Detours through the back roads of the big smoke. Sleep? Not likely tonight.
Now I’m picturing myself fronting up to an 8:30am meeting at the University, then a filmed interview I’ve been looking forward to all week, and an advisory group meeting (yep, big day) running on fumes — and the inner critic is LOUD. The anxiety is like THUNDER. Here comes the wave of dread. I just need to get back to Newcastle.
Perfection or nothing.
Don’t stumble.
You can’t afford it. The stakes are too high
So I go back to basics: name what I can see, breathe longer out than in, loosen the grip, label the task instead of the monster. The goal isn’t to get rid of fear at 3am — it’s to keep pointing northwards while it’s yelling at you.
By the time I get home, the panic’s still there… but it’s smaller. And it’s not driving anymore. Thank God, neither am I. Now to sleep, I’ve got a big day coming up!
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Borderline Personality Disorder has a habit of sending me down to the beach, to ask the big questions about life. To try and think my way through its distortion of my reality. Just like the waves in front of me, this time the memories have come flooding in. In this episode I’m sitting on the sand at Bar Beach, where I revisit some of the hardest truths that I can only now accept, about love and relationships. Newcastle holds some very difficult memories of my battle with BPD (and the rest) but now I can look back from a much healthier and resilient standpoint. In this episode I talk about the “switch” that flipped so often, from idealisation to complete distrust. The damage caused when my system was overloaded with obsessive intrusive thoughts, uncontrollable ruminations, and the guilt that followed when I finally saw everything clearly again.
This isn’t a redemption arc. Not yet anyway. It’s a completely honest and very real look at how relationships (and people) get caught in destructive BPD tornadoes — and what it took for me to break the pattern. I share thoughts on what helped me slow the spiral, repair my heart and soul after complete emotional rupture, and forge a version of myself that doesn’t need to test every bond to feel safe. That can trust, and be the partner I am meant to be. Even if I haven’t yet had the chance to be in a relationship and be that person since…
The good news? BPD has been proven to be at the mercy of therapy and treatment, and it can be silenced and rendered unable to continue its destructive ways. Progress is certainly possible, as shown in the research consistently— even if it’s messy, non-linear, and at times painful and uncomfortable (but worth it, trust me).
If you’ve ever felt love drown under a surging wave of negative emotion, this one will feel familiar. Borderline Personality Disorder is complex and often overwhelming. It distorts reality and pretends to be your friend. But it can be managed effectively. Unfortunately, it can be too late to save what should have been an amazing future with somebody special. And that’s the reality I now try to understand and accept. And I find myself again, sitting at the beach, late at night, with just my thoughts and memories…
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Jay is someone I have wanted to interview on the podcast for a long time. And if you listen to his story you'll understand why. What really sets Jay and his story apart, for me at least, is the steps that have been made to be able to engage with life in a healthy, balanced manner. In this episode he introduces me to a new paradigm, one that I had been reluctant to accept. How the breath is the core component that underscores everything. How the breath used properly can dampen anxiety before chaos ensues. For me? Groundbreaking.
We talk about how dyslexia made Jay's school years challenging, along with ADHD chaos. How out of this his MMA grit came forward, and a body that never quite settled—until a three-year breathing crisis and a botched surgery forced a life-or-death turning point. What followed wasn’t a quick fix or shiny hack, but a slow, humble process of learning how to lower a revving baseline through breath, embodiment, and honest awareness. And make no mistake, this was a life and death moment. When you are battling just to breath correctly, life all of a sudden is not on solid ground.
Jay shares the daily practices that helped shift his nervous system out of constant sympathetic threat and into parasympathetic ease: slow nasal breathing, gentle mobility, infrared heat, yoga, and learning to notice what the body is doing before the mind runs away with it. We explore why CBT and logic often don’t stick when anxiety is loud, and how a body-first approach creates the conditions for the mind to finally do its best work.
There’s a powerful reframe for social anxiety here too. Most interactions are safe, yet the body reacts like there’s a tiger in the aisle. We unpack how to “get between the film and the viewer,” recognise the fear script early, and use the breath to downshift before words are said and actions made.
We also touch on insights from a 10-day Vipassana silent retreat, and what it really means to stop riding the emotional seesaw and start living from the middle.
Underneath it all is something simple but profound: when the body is calm, connection stops being costly and becomes nourishing. This is a conversation about rebuilding from zero, and how one breath, one honest moment, and one small win at a time can change everything.
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast I talk about living without a “baseline” and the swings between days of huge momentum and days where everything stalls. Living with ADHD and BPD means my capacity isn’t always stable, and when I run hot — big output, little sleep, racing thoughts — it can feel productive right up until it isn’t. I unpack how workaholic thinking, the inner critic and impostor syndrome turn urgency into a virtue, and why that pattern has landed me in hospital before.
This episode is about pacing instead of pushing: recognising the warning signs, building recovery into the plan, and redefining success as staying in the game rather than burning out. But I haven't quite nailed down how to do all of this. I also speak honestly about medication — what helps, what complicates things, and how I’m trying to put guardrails around it. If your baseline feels like a moving target, this is a reflection on how I need to find sustainable momentum without destroying my engine.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
--
Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
Facebook – The Dysregulated Podcast
YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Dysregulated Daily is a daily check-in video series designed to capture what the big episodes often miss, the reality of mental health day to day in all its chaotic forms. Instead of focusing only on mood, I introduce capacity as the core signal: how much usable emotional, cognitive, nervous-system, and functional bandwidth I actually have to engage with life. My reality is of a dysregulated headspace, everyday. And this series will offer you access into my life living with complex mental health disorders, the difficult moments but also the wins on the board.
Join me in tracking mood and capacity scores, not to compare but to gain insight and awareness into our own journeys.
This is as real as it gets. There are no secrets here and I will be showing you everything I can about the day-to-day experience of living with mental illness. If you are battling yourself, know that I'm in the trenches with you. And now for the first time Dysregulated Daily takes you into the warzone that is my life everyday.
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Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
This episode is about a hard reframe: stepping back from the dream of marriage and family, not out of bitterness, but honesty. Instead, I am investing my energy where growth is actually possible (I hope).
I talk about the grief that brings up for my inner child, the relief that comes with clarity of direction, and why focusing on career and purpose isn’t avoidance but a sign of maturity of the self. I discuss my nervous system limits (more on that soon), my mental health reality, and the cost of chasing dreams that perhaps aren't possible after all.
I also introduce Dysregulated Daily, a new YouTube series of short, honest check-ins coming soon.
Alright, time to launch!
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Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
A sunrise over Newcastle, a phone balanced in my car, and a decision to stop waiting for bloody perfection. In the next fortnightly check-in, I talk about the creative bottleneck that’s stalled a head full of episodes, how expectations kill momentum (again), and why pressing record is so important (as it uploading). It’s about choosing ANYTHING and focusing on consistency over polish, and naming the self-talk that gets in the way. That inner critic just won’t quit.
I also share some good news, a shift in perspective from becoming an uncle again, and where things for the podcast are heading next. That includes returning to the road transport industry, building mental health advocacy inside a culture that often rewards silence, and what retaking a load restraint course taught me about neurodivergence under pressure. The Dysregulated Podcast is expanding onto YouTube and laying the groundwork for short daily check-ins—honest, simple entries tracking mood, stress, and coping in real time. The goal stays the same: reduce stigma, build mental health literacy, and show the whole picture as it actually is.
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Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
What if your best ideas arrive amongst a wave of dysregulation and mania?
This episode dives into that blurry space where genuine inspiration mixes with bipolar highs, BPD intensity and ADHD momentum. The hard work of figuring out what’s real before it costs you dearly.
I share the checks I use when ideas start firing: grounded excitement, steady thinking, intact sleep, the 24-hour rule. I talk about the times I completely misread the moment, like the night I tried to “cure depression” at 3 a.m. and the ideas I held back on that later proved solid. That tension creates doubt, grief and second-guessing, and is part of the reason why mental illness is so fractured.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this momentum real, or am I kidding myself?” then I reckon this one’s gonna sound familiar!
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
--
Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
Facebook – The Dysregulated Podcast
YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
What happens when social anxiety crashes the recording session?
Finally, I return to the mic after a short break, battling a new swallowing issue (anxiety?), performance nerves, and that familiar inner critic. It’s an honest look at showing up imperfectly and refusing to let anxiety call the shots. No way bucko!
In this episode, I reflect on what’s been happening lately in my world: winning the University of Newcastle Young Alumni Award, two life-changing (and affirming) concerts (Oasis & AC/DC), overheating scares, plus the decision to return to full-time work for some financial breathing room.
There’s also a preview of what’s coming next — Manchester Madness, new The Psych Ward stories, Weaponised Autism, Q&A Sessions, Retroactive Jealousy, and bringing The Dysregulated Podcast to YouTube.
Sometimes you just have to press submit. Even if it's not perfect.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
--
Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
Facebook – The Dysregulated Podcast
YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Good days don’t last forever which is why they need to be used wisely. In this episode, I talk about using the times when mood, energy and motivation finally line up to take full advantage by being action-orientated and not just sitting back relaxing. How it's important to prepare for the eventual drop that's coming. Because it's true that as humans we have to endure both the good and the bad days.
When my mood is elevated, I find even the most mundane of tasks bearable. Having the motivation and inspiration to clean my room, send the resume, apply for the job, book the appointment, set things in motion. Because when the clouds roll back in, it’s a lot easier to cope if you’ve already taken steps forward. Progress makes the darkness less heavy. Stagnation makes it brutal.
This episode is about momentum, not perfection. Action over comfort. Not letting the good days go to waste, so when the tough ones come, the work has been done to ensure the rewards are coming. And then the sun comes back again and sticks around for a bit longer than before.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
--
Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
Facebook – The Dysregulated Podcast
YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
This episode looks at what happens when perfectionism gets in the way of creating anything at all. Over the past month, I've been stuck in the repetitive obsessive-cycle of record, doubt, delete, repeat. Each recording felt...off. And my inner critic made sure I knew about it.
I talk through what it feels like, the hesitation before pressing record, the pressure to get it exactly right, and how easily the delete button stalled any progress I was making. Thankfully I am able to share the small shifts that enabled me to get this one across the line. Recording in a different space, lowering my expectations, and letting the stumbles stay in. After all, this is the most honest, real, vulnerable, raw, genuine and fair dinkum podcast on the internet. It doesn't need to be polished and "perfect"!
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Follow The Dysregulated Podcast:
Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
To watch both the audio and video from this webinar please follow https://youtu.be/4Lb1NzFK5XY?si=N6-pJuM1wPwMjqB_
Join Black Dog Institute’s clinical psychologist Pam Withey and lived experience advocate Elliot Waters as they explore how to support teen mental health during one of life’s most challenging stages.
From recognising the signs of distress to building healthy habits around sleep, screen time and social connection, this webinar offers practical advice for parents, carers, and educators.
Visit Black Dog Institute’s range of evidence-based resources and tools to support young people and those who care for them:
🔗 https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/
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Instagram – @elliot.t.waters
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YouTube – The Dysregulated Podcast (Official Channel)
Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
Finally I've published something. Not because this episode is one of my best (it isn't), but because I couldn’t stand being stuck in that record-delete loop any longer. After days of fighting perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and an overactive inner critic, I realised the only way to get beyond this loop is to publish something....anything!
Fear of imperfection can paralyse creativity and curtail results, which is why releasing even a half-baked episode can be enough to get things rolling again.
Although this episode leans towards filler, it is just as important as any other when it comes to it. I need this one in the bag, so I can then focus my energies outwardly again to create magic. I even give a sneak preview into two of the new episodes in the pipeline....and thanks to this current effort I can work towards getting those episodes published sooner rather than later.
Perfectionism, creative anxiety, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, inner critic. Quite the handful, but I've been able to overcome them again!
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Created by Elliot Waters — Inspired by lived experience.
Mental health insights, real stories, real conversations.
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In this episode, I talk about the sudden re-emergence of my old foe, the inner critic, and how it’s teamed up with my perfectionism to drag me down. Together, they’ve convinced me that everything I do is sub-standard, fuelling insecurities and setting expectations that aren't reasonable or attainable.
The best example of this? This very podcast of course! I’ve spent hours glued to my computer and microphone, desperately trying to record the “perfect” episode. The result has been exhaustion, frustration, and far fewer episodes released than I’d like.
But here’s the truth, I reckon the imperfections are what makes this show work, owing to the fact that life isn't perfect. It is riddled with mistakes, missteps, inconsistencies and lost opportunities. Because if I am able to stand by my belief that this podcast is the most honest, raw, vulnerable and fair dinkum show on the internet, the imperfections must be a part of the journey. That's the reality of living with mental illness. And that's what makes The Dysregulated Podcast stand out from the rest.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
One missed appointment, that's all it took. And suddenly I was facing weeks without my ADHD medications.
This time I’d done everything right, so for once this isn't on me! I had scripts sorted, appointments booked, all lined up, ready to go. Then my doctor went on unexpected leave, leaving me completely stimulant-free and flailing. The fallout was brutal: executive function collapsed, my car and room turned into chaos, appointments slipped, and even the podcast stopped for a bit there (sorry everyone).
ADHD meds aren’t just about focus, because stopping them suddenly makes symptoms rebound even harder. It also shows how fragile access is under the current system, with rigid rules and long waits. Thankfully, changes are coming in NSW where GPs will soon be able to prescribe directly, making life easier for so many of us.
Now that I’m back on track, the podcast is rolling again with new Q&As and intake interviews. If you’ve faced your own medication access struggles, I’d love to hear your story.
At the end of this episode I also pass judgement over the developments around certain pain medications and the development of autism spectrum disorder. My conclusions perhaps differ slightly from those presented by the US government at this time.....
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After a break from therapy, today’s session was less about deep work and more about catching my therapist up on everything that’s been happening. Or, not been happening. She thought I'd be tapering off medications, instead of being on another one.. She seemed genuinely bemused by this, thankfully validating the confusion and frustration I have felt when my wishes aren't be listened to. She reminded me that this isn’t a failure of self-advocacy on my part, but rather a reflection of a broken system. While most of the session was devoted to recounting these updates, we finished by re-committing to focus on the bigger picture: finding a new job and moving forward with a career change.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Some of the most powerful insights about mental health don’t always come from structured interviews or carefully planned questions, often they show up in the middle of a casual chat. That’s what the “In Conversation With…” series is all about.
Unlike the Intake Interviews, which focus on personal histories and journeys with mental illness, these episodes look to capture the spontaneous, off-the-cuff moments where real understanding happens. No strict structure, no set agenda — just two people talking openly about life, challenges, and what keeps us going.
In this first conversation, Holly returns to the show and we sit down for a free-flowing, down-to-earth discussion about mental health in plain terms, offering genuine reflections that are honest, relatable, and real.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Welcome to The Q&A Sessions: Your questions answered! If you have a topic you would like me to cover on the show, this is how to make it happen! Every week I'll select a question/topic to cover and give the best answers I can. Anything related to mental health, there is nothing that's off limits. This is another way in which I am hoping to fulfil my commitment to you in providing the most genuine, vulnerable and honest podcast on the whole internet!
To ask a question you can msg me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters OR on Facebook via "The Dysregulated Podcast".
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode, I share what came of my latest psychiatry appointment and honestly, it left me feeling pretty frustrated. Again.
I talk about what it’s like trying to navigate the mental health system while dealing with anxiety and depression at the same time. When you’re already running on empty, self-advocacy feels almost impossible. The system wants us to be proactive, but how do you do that when you can barely get out of bed?
I open up about:
- Why the mental health system feels reactive instead of preventative
- How depression and anxiety pull me in opposite directions — one shutting down the future, the other making it terrifying
- My mirtazapine being pushed up to 30mg, moving me into the therapeutic range
- Juggling around eight medications, even though my original hope was to taper down and start again
- The double-edged sword of “insight” - it looks good on paper, but in reality, it often just feeds my depression
- The short, surface-level appointments in public psychiatry that leave little space for the real stuff
- And at the heart of it all - the fact that I’ve lost my ability to laugh and smile, and how deeply that hurts
It’s an honest, heavy one - but I think it’s important.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Have you ever had to fight your own mind just to do something you love? In this follow-up episode to "When Social Anxiety Hits Back", I share my win of making it to the Newcastle Knights game—despite social anxiety trying it's hardest to keep me trapped at home.
It came down to a last-minute call, but walking into McDonald Jones Stadium with 30,000 fans reminded me that showing up matters more than the scoreboard. Even though the Knights went down to the Brisbane Broncos, pushing past my mental health barriers felt like the real victory. And it was!
Sometimes building a life worth living means leaning into discomfort and fronting up anyway, especially for the things that make us feel alive! Go Knights!
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
What happens when the things we love most become casualties of our mental health? Today, I’m facing that question head-on as social anxiety keeps me from the final Newcastle Knights home game of the season.
For me, the Knights aren’t just a hobby, they’re part of my identity! With my Pride of the Hunter banner and strong, powerful voice in the stands, I’ve become a bit of a fixture at McDonald Jones Stadium. Yet instead of joining 30,000 fans today, I’m at home recording this episode.
This tug-of-war happens a lot, between wanting to go and feeling capable of going and not having the capacity. This internal conflict captures the cruel nature of social anxiety and autism-related sensory challenges. Even when we and I desperately want and need something to cheer about, sometimes the mental barriers win. And my social battery just doesn't stretch enough.
But there’s still meaning in sharing the struggle. Living with mental illness often means redefining expectations. It's not always about being perfect in my record of appearances at games, but in trying my best and balancing self-care with pushing my limits.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
What happens when the mental health system fails those that need it most? In this raw, unfiltered episode, I take you into the depths of my ongoing battle with a mental healthcare approach that seems more interested in medication guess-work than actual measures for recovery.
I'm currently taking seven different medications – heavy-duty pharmaceuticals that should, theoretically, be providing relief from my complex mental health conditions. Yet despite this chemical cocktail, my symptoms continue to worsen. My frustration is palpable as I recount my recent psychiatric appointment where my request to safely taper off medications under supervision was dismissed, replaced instead with simply swapping one medication for another.
The consequences of inadequate treatment have now spilled into my work life. I've been stripped of my forklift operator role – the one area where I felt most competent and found respite from my social anxiety. This loss represents the real-world impact of a mental health system that keeps failing those who need it most. And this could only be the start.
What makes this situation particularly disappointing is my willingness to try anything – even considering ECT or extended hospital admissions – just to get proper help. When someone describes themselves as "the most willing patient" who is willing to try anything, yet cannot access appropriate care despite years of advocacy, we must question how our mental health services are prioritised and delivered.
For anyone navigating complex mental health challenges or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation that you're not alone in your struggle. The path to proper treatment shouldn't be this difficult, but together we can continue advocating for better approaches.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Finally the moment has arrived, my psychiatry review at James Fletcher hospital. The opportunity to state my case as to why I believe a medication taper and withdrawal is necessary and in my best interests. Also, to explain how a hospital admission I believe would be the best option for me moving forward.
Did I achieve these goals? Uhh.....not quite. But a significant change was made, whether it works or not time will tell. But that little flicker of hope is still alight and I am still in the fight!
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
After what’s felt like forever, I finally have a date locked in! I'm seeing a psychiatrist for an appointment to determine the next steps as far as my goal of tapering off all of my medications. Thank you, NSW public mental health system!
The main theme of the episode though is all about my morning. How an amazing opportunity for gratitude was driven away by my over-excited amygdala which sees threats everywhere. A beautiful drive around Newcastle on a perfect winters day, with nothing but blue skies should not be clouded by anxiety. But this is my everyday. Not easy. And I know this isn't just happening to me!
The positive is that momentum is being made as far as tapering medications is concerned, and making the system listen and help me with my goals. That hope is burning just that little bit brighter...
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode, I share how the NSW mental health system has picked up my referrals and is starting to piece together a plan to help me move forward. It’s a big relief — and a hint of hope on the horizon — but of course it’s also tangled up with my daily battle against anxiety.
So much of this process relies on me: on finding the social capacity to answer or make phone calls, to push through the fear that is always there, and to keep these critical conversations and opportunities alive. I’ve missed a few calls along the way (hey, its been hard, ok?), but I’ve also managed to pick up the phone when it really counts and talk openly about my struggles. That alone feels like a small victory — a moment of courage that helps keep the wheels turning and reminds me that, even with all this anxiety, I’m still moving forward. The war within rages on, but now I might be bolstered by a very powerful ally. Maybe....hopefully.....
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
** Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal ideation, and severe mental health crises. Please take care while listening.
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I unpack my latest therapy session — one that left both my psychologist and I scrambling to try and understand thoughts and feelings that were much more serious than ever before. The stakes couldn't be higher; this was very much a life-or-death scenario.
These looping dark thoughts come from deep within my psyche, much deeper than the usual storm of emotion-fuelled suicidal ideation. This time, it was cold, logical, calculated… and that makes it so much harder to fight. For the first time, I had a clear plan. It felt less like an impulse and more like a grim conclusion my rational mind had come to — and that’s terrifying.
After opening up fully, my psychologist had no choice but to call the NSW mental health line right there in the room. It was confronting but also reassuring to have her there advocating for me. That call has now led to a referral to the Newcastle Community Mental Health Team, with hopes they can triage me properly and maybe even secure an extended inpatient stay to finally sort out these meds.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of My Therapy Reflections, I explore my latest psychology session, which admittedly wasn’t particularly productive. With my mind in overdrive from lack of sleep, stimulant dependency, and sheer frustration at life, I spent most of the session ranting—about how I’m not getting the help I need, how my life feels worthless, how all the suffering and sacrifice hasn’t led to the happiness I thought it would.
I leaned hard into that old belief that there are winners and losers in this world—and I’m firmly in the loser camp, destined for disappointment. My negative loops were too strong to break, so my therapist could really only listen.
But even so, these sessions matter. They give my therapist a fuller picture of what I’m up against. And while we didn’t work through much trauma or with my parts this time, just showing up meant everything—especially since I had to crank myself right up to get there.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
I've been working on a deeply personal episode about retroactive jealousy, but my inner critic has been relentless in sabotaging my attempts to record it. This is going to be my most revealing episode yet, explaining how retroactive jealousy has been my borderline personality disorder's "weapon of choice" throughout my life. But as I explain in this episode, my mind is stopping me from getting on with the job! I also take a brief look at the current NSW mental health system and how it is affecting me (and others) and I report a slight decrease in one of my medications (which is a win!).
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode, I share my ongoing battle to getting help from the mental health system in reducing my medication load. And progress continues to be hard to come by.
I share the latest letters my GP has sent off to Bloomfield Hospital and ISMHU, pleading for an inpatient stay to safely reduce and taper off my psych meds. I open up about the financial barriers to private care, the paradox of needing to make anxiety-inducing phone calls just to access treatment (for anxiety disorders!), and the emotional toll of constantly needing to self-advocate with disorders such as BPD in the mix. It’s time to up the anti, and try a new strategy. One I hoped I wouldn’t have to use…
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
The Discharge Papers returns — but not all of it is good news.
In this episode, I read through my latest discharge papers from the Mater Mental Health Hospital, offering an unfiltered and completely vulnerable look at what actually happens during a psychiatric assessment in an emergency department, during my most acute mental illness battles.
• The hospital notes describe me as articulate and intelligent, with strong insight into my mental health
• Diagnoses listed include BPD, ADHD, autism, OCD, and multiple anxiety disorders
• The psychiatrist also flagged “Cluster C personality vulnerabilities,” which I found interesting and might explore in a future episode
• I talk through the ongoing challenges of medication management, plus possible future treatments like TMS and esketamine/ketamine
• I also share my frustration with the NSW mental health system — while staying open to anything that might help me get better
• This episode follows on from Back to the Mater, where I recorded myself just before walking into the hospital seeking help. The story continues to evolve! And I'm still in the fight....just.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please like, subscribe, leave a rating, and follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters or check out The Dysregulated Podcast on Facebook to stay up to date with new episodes.
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Awake up at 4 AM and recording from my car, I'm sharing some thoughts during a tough winter period where both physical illness and mental health challenges have been colliding. Winter has always been difficult for me, and getting sick complicates many of my energy-dependent coping strategies for managing my mental ill health. Burnout is a tough foe to battle, along with the various disorders that I’m up against. But the fight for peace of mind rages on!
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Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey through the chaos of mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way.
Lived experience is at the heart of this podcast — every episode told through my own lens, with raw honesty and zero filter.
This is a genuine and vulnerable account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Opposite action is a powerful DBT skill that helps us override our automatic emotional responses by choosing behaviours that counter what we're feeling. This skill works by strengthening neural connections between our prefrontal cortex and amygdala, physically changing our brain to improve emotional regulation.
• Identifying what emotion you're experiencing (anxiety, anger, sadness)
• Understanding what your emotion is urging you to do (avoid, lash out, isolate)
• Consciously choosing the opposite behaviour
• Taking action despite emotional discomfort
• Reflecting on the outcome and noticing positive effects
• Using opposite action to manage impulsivity and emotional reactivity
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Elliot explores the challenges of being stuck in a "mental health holding pattern", while waiting for professional guidance on medication changes.
• Recounting a recent visit to Mater Hospital seeking help to reset medication and establish a new baseline
• Attempting to reduce Seroquel dosage independently, resulting in disrupted sleep patterns during a week of early starts
• Using State of Origin football as a crucial psychological anchor during a difficult period
• Experiencing increasing anxiety about the future due to feeling a lack of control over treatment direction
• Feeling the early signs of depression returning as the waiting period continues
• Preview of an upcoming detailed episode reviewing hospital discharge papers and future treatment implications
For anyone experiencing similar struggles with mental health treatment limbo, remember that finding small anchors to look forward to can help break up difficult weeks while waiting for professional support.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
I’m drenched, exhausted, and dragging myself through the rain—because I’m about to blow. This is a real-time recording, on my phone, just moments before I walked through the doors of the Mater hospital. Not in crisis, but not far off. I’m tired. Tired of the medication merry-go-round, the constant inner turmoil, the anxiety and depression. Im also tired of my inner critic telling me I’m not “bad enough” to deserve any help. But, I didn’t show up for fun. I didn’t walk from home to the hospital at 2am in the relentless rain to go home empty handed—I showed up because I’m worn out, and I need answers. Now.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
When silence falls on The Dysregulated Podcast, it usually means something's amiss. Today, I'm breaking that silence with a raw, unfiltered check-in from the front seat of my car at Nobbys Beach during an East Coast Low storm system. Despite feeling spaced-out and fatigued, I needed to let you know: I'm still here, still fighting.
The past week has been unlike anything I've experienced before – mood swings cycling every 5-10 seconds, bouncing between slightly depressed and deeply depressed states all day long. It's left me completely drained. Yet here I am, forcing myself awake when I'd normally be sleeping for days, seeking mindfulness in the midst of a coastal storm. There's something about standing in driving rain and howling wind that grounds me completely in the present moment – perhaps my own unique form of meditation.
My journey to taper off psychiatric medications remains stalled, with NSW Health not providing the responses I'd hoped for. I'm exploring Plan B, C, and D options, though doing this without proper support feels daunting. The contrast couldn't be starker when it comes to therapy – I've experienced major breakthroughs with Internal Family Systems therapy that I can't wait to share once I can properly articulate them. Watch for upcoming therapy reflection episodes where I'll dive deep into these transformative sessions. For those who've been worried about my silence, thank you for your concern. This path isn't linear, but I'm still trucking along. Have you found unexpected sources of mindfulness in your own journey? Share your experiences in the comments or reach out directly.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In the next chapter of My Therapy Reflections, I share a very significant IFS (Internal Family Systems) breakthrough that has reframed how I view some of my darkest moments. When life feels too loud and too bright (which is most of the time), I tend to mentally retreat, like hiding in a tunnel—a cold, dark place that where I sometimes I can sleep for days. But this session revealed something surprising: my internal parts weren’t trying to trap me there like I had thought. They were waiting at the top, encouraging me to come back.
Even my inner critic—the voice I’ve long seen as cruel and as my enemy—was there trying to help. Not to tear me down, but to shield me from a world I’m not built for. This unexpected shift helped me see that every part of me, even the ones I’ve battled with, have been trying to protect me in their own, unique way.
I also uncovered a younger part of myself, frozen at age 15, holding trauma I hadn’t accessed in years. That story continues in Part B. But in this episode, it’s all about beginning to see your inner system not as broken, but as misunderstood. Maybe, like me, you’ll start to feel compassion for the parts of yourself you once feared.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode, Elliot records from inside his car as rain pours down outside, reflecting nicely the turbulence felt within all week. Battling extreme and rapid mood swings that have left him exhausted and overwhelmed, Elliot shares how poor sleep, stimulant medication, grey weather, and sensory sensitivities have compounded to intensify his struggles. As the rain falls mirroring his rapidly dropping mood, he offers listeners a genuine glimpse into the exhausting reality of managing emotional dysregulation and fatigue.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
After years of trying a myriad of psychiatric medications—SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRI's, Tricyclics (TCA), mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and everything in between—I’ve reached a breaking point. Nothing has truly worked, my anxiety has never been worse, and the side effects are piling up. My body’s jittery, my mind’s exhausted, and I’m stuck somewhere between sedation and overstimulation.
In this episode, I open up about my plea for a full medication reset. I am wanting to strip things back and start again—clean slate, clean brain. But getting support for that? A whole other battle. This episode is about what it’s like to fight for your own mental clarity when everything you’ve tried has left you feeling worse.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
The next instalment of the "My Journal" series sees me having a look at a very recent entry. So recent in fact it was written just yesterday. Unfortunately the tone of the writing is bleak. I explain how across all facets of my life there is pressure building. Pressure for change, the need to perform, and how anxiety derails every effort that I make. No podcast goes this deep into what it is like living with mental ill health.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
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I’m back! It’s been a little while between episodes, but in this check-in, I bring you along for the ride—literally. I talk about my recent solo road trip to the Gold Coast (via the very chill detour through Nimbin) to watch my beloved Newcastle Knights take on the Titans. The trip was meant to help me slow down and de-stress... but let’s be real, it didn’t quite go as planned.
From battling anxiety on the open road to grappling with post-trip blues (and watching the Knights cop a flogging), this episode unpacks how even our best intentions to rest can get derailed by a dysregulated nervous system. I also touch on CBD oil, the struggle of feeling anxious before and after the trip, and how this lingering anxiety has been nudging me toward a depressive episode I’m now trying to fight off.
This one’s raw, reflective, and full of the honesty you’ve come to expect from The Dysregulated Podcast. If you’ve ever tried to give yourself a break and still ended up overwhelmed, this one’s for you.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
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This week, anxiety hit me in a way that genuinely scared me. Not just the usual panic or dread—but the fear of anxiety itself. When it spirals beyond my control, when I’m bedridden for days, sweating, hiding from the world, and feeling powerless to stop it… that’s when the real bad thoughts creep in. I felt like anxiety could take me down at any moment, and I wouldn’t be able to get back up.
But somehow, I crawled out of my anxious den. I went for a run, got a haircut (despite the social anxiety!), and even found some joy watching the mighty Newcastle Knights claim victory. It was a brutal week, but I made it through. In this episode, I break down what it's like when anxiety becomes overwhelming, how I fought back, and what helped me regain control.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
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Discover Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with 'The Dysregulated Podcast'!
Episode #3: Pros and Cons
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I take you back to one of the most pivotal moments of my entire life —my first kiss. But this isn’t just a nostalgic teenage memory; this was the moment that set everything in motion. From high school struggles and crippling self-esteem issues to the deep insecurities that shaped my identity, this night ignited something far bigger than I ever could have realised at the time. Looking back, I can see that this was the spark that ignited my Borderline Personality Disorder. This is lived experience that only this show provides. No other mental health podcast goes this deep, is this raw and is this vulnerable. This is where the mayhem started! And I am still feeling the effects of my teenage trauma today.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this follow-up to My Therapy Reflections #8 (Part A), I take a clearer look at why my workaholic identity is feeling under threat—and why that makes me so damn anxious. Like so many of my parts, the workaholic exists to protect me, keeping me constantly busy so life doesn’t have the chance to bring me down. Always on guard, always working, always driven by pure anxiety. But maybe—just maybe—building my entire identity around being the hardest worker in the room isn’t the healthiest way forward. Maybe there’s a better way. Or maybe I’m just a confused kid with autism and BPD, struggling with identity and anxieties that never seem to let up. Watch this space though, because I'm determined to figure out what on earth I should be aiming at!
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Following my last therapy session, my anxiety was still super high—so I decided to run with it! In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I share how I went for a run (big deal) to help soothe my anxious mind. Did it fix everything? No. But did it help? Absolutely. Despite feeling so mentally drained, today turned out to be surprisingly productive—therapy sesh, two podcast episodes, and a run even! Sometimes, you just gotta show up and face anxiety head-on.
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In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I reflect on an unusually difficult therapy session—one that left me feeling worse instead of better. My anxiety has been at an all-time high, and the very foundation of my workaholic sub-part is being challenged, leaving me feeling unsettled and unsure. It’s been a massive day, even before therapy, and I break down the emotions, thoughts, and struggles that came with it. I'm a wounded warrior in this one.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of 'The Dysregulated Podcast' I take an in depth look at the problems plaguing the NSW public mental health system. Over 200 psychiatrists in the public system have indicated their intention of resigning from NSW Health. This is a disastrous outcome for the people of NSW. Although pay is at the heart of this battle, it isn't necessarily about money. This is about funding a failing system and attracting enough mental health professionals to ensure the NSW mental health system can provide for those that desperately need it.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I take a look at the all-too-familiar "Dexy Blues"—the wave of anxiety and depression that hits when stimulant medications like Vyvanse and dexamphetamine start to wear off. I share my experience with these emotional crashes, how my prescription had to be adjusted to soften the blow, and some quick tips to help avoid those tough afternoons. I also reflect on my friends' experiences, how these medications affect her differently and showing how reactions to even the same drugs can vary from person to person. If you're on ADHD meds, I think you’ll really relate to this one!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I explore the vital role Seroquel plays in my ability to get a good night's sleep and how its absence leaves me battling through the day. Sleep deprivation exacerbates the negative ruminations that seem to take centre stage of my psyche, and today, they’ve been particularly focused on my inner workaholic—the sub-part of me constantly pushing to apply for new jobs and to (hopefully) improve my life! That is one part of me that doesn't slow down, even if the self has! Join me as I do my best to explain the challenges of sleeplessness, self-criticism, and the weight of unrelenting expectations, all before the Seroquel kicks in and I finally get some rest!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Today has been one of those days—the kind where inspiring and motivated emotions go missing. Which is especially tough when you're in an interview trying to present the best version of yourself. That was today's challenge. But that’s the thing with mental ill health—you don’t always get to pick and choose the good days and the bad. And today was not a good one. Listen as I describe in real-time the feeling of "blergh", the state of being where inspiration, motivation and belief in oneself goes missing.
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Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, and the show on Facebook!
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I dive into the power of anger—not the destructive kind, but the controlled, purposeful anger that drives action and transformation. After years of feeling stuck in a career dead-end, trapped by the grip of anxiety, I have used an old trick to shift my mindset. The key? Getting angry! Angry enough to demand more for myself.
I explore how channelling anger can override fear and hesitation, offering the strength to push past self-doubt and take bold steps forward. This episode is about finding the fire within, using it to break free from stagnation, and turning frustration into the fuel needed to pursue something greater—like finally using that hard-earned degree!
If you’ve ever felt stuck or powerless, this episode will challenge you to rethink anger as a tool for growth and change. It’s time to stop simmering in frustration and start using it to fuel your next move.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I take you through my end of year medication review with my psychiatrist. From continuing my taper off certain meds to saying goodbye to others completely, and a revamped approach to managing my ADHD, I share the challenges of finding a balance that works. Tune in as I reflect on the impact of these changes on my mental health, focus, and daily life, and what it all means moving forward!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
After 11 months of sobriety, I’ve found myself back at square one. In this episode, I open up about my journey with alcohol, the challenges of staying sober, and the reasons behind my relapse. Despite nearly a year without drinking, I struggled to see the big rewards I had hoped for—a new job, a partner, or tangible signs of improvement. My "deal" with the universe felt unanswered.
I discuss life with autism and social anxiety, navigating solo outings like Oasis tribute shows, and battling the ever-present negative inner monologue. This led me to reconsider alcohol—not as a vice, but as a "tool" to ease social anxiety and improve confidence, much like medication helps with ADHD. However, I explain the reality that alcohol has never truly solved these challenges, especially when it comes to quieting my inner critic or helping me connect with others.
This is an honest reflection on relapse, loneliness, and the complex role alcohol plays in managing social struggles and mental health.
🌱 If you’ve faced similar challenges with sobriety, relapse, or social anxiety, I hope this episode offers solidarity and support.
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In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, host Elliot Waters reflects on a significant change in his emotional landscape: the flattening of extreme emotions. No more crying in the shower or panic attacks in bed. Stability is the norm—a welcome change—but it’s not all smooth sailing.
While life without drastic downturns and hospital trips is a relief, Elliot opens up about the challenges of finding genuine positive emotion amidst this newfound balance. Contentment feels out of reach, with anxiety quietly lurking in the background, and inspiration—often fuelled by strong positive emotions—seemingly elusive.
Join Elliot for an honest exploration of what emotional stability in his dysregulated world means, the void that has emerged, and the next steps to rediscover pure happiness and creative spark. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go from chaos to calm, but still feeling as though you are “stuck,” this episode will sound familiar!
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In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I reflect on a successful two weeks of annual leave. For the first time in years, my car, room, and even the house is all clean—and have stayed that way for over a week! It might sound silly, but those with ADHD will understand this all too well. Not only that, but I also laminated a heap of podcast posters (mindfulness exercise) and put them all around Newcastle! I even looked after our family cat Mabel this week, and everything around me is in order. Unbelievable! I do thank my medication Vyvanse, along with my decision to create a vision for the two weeks, build some structure and routine into my days, as helping me navigate away from the blockages ADHD can cause.
But ADHD remains a cruel disorder, as I reflect on a friend who just lost their job due to unmanaged ADHD challenges. This stark contrast reminds me how vital treatment and support are. Tune in for my raw, genuine and very real account of what life is like living with ADHD.
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In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Intake Interviews series, I have a chat with Holly, who I am privileged to call a great friend. At just twenty years old, Holly has faced more challenges than many encounter in a lifetime. From periods of grief to homelessness, and the difficulties of managing ADHD, bullying, and developing mental health complexities, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Holly’s story is a testament to the enduring human spirit. She has grown stronger, thriving in ways that inspire everyone around her. Her honesty and resilience shine through as she shares invaluable insights about mental health, overcoming adversity, and finding hope.
It’s a privilege to bring you this episode. Holly’s story is raw, honest, and deeply moving—a testament to navigating the trials of mental illness and emerging stronger on the other side. This conversation will leave you moved and uplifted.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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In the latest instalment of The Dysregulated Podcast’s "My Therapy Reflections" series, I continue using EMDR and Internal Family Systems Therapy to help uncover the source of my constant anxiety. This session led to the discovery of a new sub-personality: the Cognitive Overthinker—a part of me that’s always on high alert, overanalysing every situation and is driven by anxiety all in an attempt to keep me safe.
In this episode, I get to know this part of myself, reflecting on the overthinker’s role in my life, how it’s been looking out for me, and what it might take to rebuild trust between this part and my true self. Along the way, trains feature heavily (a classic autistic interest!), beautifully representing the anxiety and overthinking I experience in a way that I understand.
Big session this one, uncovering more layers to my psyche, lots of self-discovery, examples of how anxiety has thwarted some of my best efforts over the years, and the complexities of what it's like being me. Tune in to hear how my continued embracing of my internal parts is leading to a greater understanding and opportunities for growth.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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In this episode of The Dysregulated Podcast, I dive into the must-dos to maintain positive mental health. Over the next two weeks, I’m committing to rediscovering and reinforcing the core habits and routines that keep me grounded, focused, and mentally clear. I'm talkin' the basics, but the basics that are so important. Although my fundamentals may seem trivial to some, for those with complex mental health disorders they can be a big challenge.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration to reset your own mental clarity or curious about what it takes to truly "lock in" your fundamentals, this episode offers insights into struggling with the business of life, my personal reflections, and a dose of realness. Pure insight!
Let’s explore how two weeks of intentional effort can spark positive change. Ready to take on the challenge with me? Let’s get started! And thank you for keeping me accountable!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
To support the show, CLICK HERE
You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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In this episode I detail my latest psychiatry appointment, with it being decided to raise my dosage of Vyvanse, with the hopes of further improving my ADHD symptoms. Slow and steady is the key, and I am now back on a dosage I have previously been prescribed after a gradual build up. There are two main issues to keep an eye out for other than effectiveness, that being an increase of anxiety and the potential for intense mood swings. So far, so good. But, I can't find myself falling into an old trap....
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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In this episode of the My Therapy Reflections series, I dive into my latest telehealth therapy session—a format that has always left me feeling a bit uneasy. Despite the anxiety building up of the previous few days, I fought through and completed the session. The major focus of our discussion? My nagging belief that I'm somehow incompetent, particularly in the context of my ongoing struggle to land a new job. However, much of the session feels like a blur as I was dissociated for most of it. Grrr. Tune in as I reflect on the session and share my thoughts on working through anxiety and dissociation in therapy.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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Audio issues: some parts glichy
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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Content Warning: This episode includes discussions on substance abuse, mental illness, and motherhood challenges. Listener discretion is advised. This episode also contains explicit material.
Stell returns to the show, this time showcasing her renewed positive frame of mind. The interview contrasts sharply with Stell's previous appearance, highlighting how mood shifts can deeply influence our thoughts, words, and actions. With BPD and ADHD in particular, we find that there is this constant battle between emotional extremes. These two conversations with Stell when compared with each other, provide an insightful look into the contrasts that can occur within our minds, and how that can play out in the real world. This is as real, genuine, honest and vulnerable as it gets!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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Medication changes can be tough, but often a revisit to a previous prescription is the best choice. Join me as I recount my latest psychiatrist appointment, where we decided that a stimulant medication, Vyvanse, could be the key to me regaining focus in life and unlocking my potential. I discuss the decision-making process, my history with Vyvanse, and what I'm hoping for this time around.
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In this instalment of My Therapy Reflections, I take listeners into the therapy room and uncover two powerful parts of myself: the Inner Critic and the Workaholic. These parts have been working tirelessly for years to protect me, but today I uncover just how much they've been influencing my life. It’s a staggering realisation—understanding that while they were born out of a need to keep me protected, their methods are no longer serving my well-being. Join me as I explore how to acknowledge and appreciate their intentions, while convincing them to trust that the Self is ready to lead the way toward a healthier, more balanced life. This episode is all about introspection, healing, and the power of self-awareness.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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Content Warning: This episode includes discussions on substance abuse, mental illness, and motherhood challenges. Listener discretion is advised. This episode also contains explicit material.
In the first episode of the Intake Interviews, host Elliot Waters sits down with an old friend, Estelle, whom they met during DBT group therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Estelle's story is one of resilience and unbelievable strength, as she opens up about her struggles with substance abuse, postnatal depression, body image and the complexities of living with BPD while being a mother to three young boys.
With the support of her incredible partner, Jords, Estelle has faced these challenges head-on. Together, they’re navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, mental health, and recovery. This candid conversation sheds light on the realities of managing mental illness within the context of family life, offering listeners an intimate look at both the difficulties and the strength that comes from facing them.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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Welcome to The Dysregulated Podcast and the feature series, the Intake Interviews. In this introductory episode, host Elliot Waters sets the stage for a powerful journey into the world of mental health, through the voices of real people with lived and living experience.
The Intake Interviews series dives deep into authentic stories of individuals navigating the challenges of mental illness, offering raw insights into their personal journeys, struggles, and triumphs. These conversations aim to spark open dialogue, reduce stigma, and encourage a greater understanding of the complexities of mental health.
Join, as we introduce the incredible stories of resilience, hope, and healing that will be shared throughout this series. Whether you're looking for support, connection, or simply a better understanding of mental health, this series is for you.
Trigger Warning: This episode and series may contain discussions of sensitive topics, including suicide, self-harm, substance use, sexual violence, domestic violence, trauma, and other mental health-related issues. Please take care of your well-being and seek support if needed.
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In this episode, I share my first impressions of my new psychiatrist as part of my journey with ADHD. Join me as I discuss the insights I gained, the questions I had, and how this new perspective might shape my understanding of myself and how this developmental disorder affects me every day. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey or just curious about the process, this episode offers an honest look at the experience of seeking help and the importance of finding the right fit in mental health care.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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You can follow me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters
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In this episode, I reflect on my time in the psych ward, focusing on a morning meeting that moved me to tears. I’ve known for a while that this episode was coming, and now I’m grateful to share such an intimate and heartfelt experience with you. It was a profound moment of connection between myself and the other patients—one I’ll never forget.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
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In this episode, Elliot shares an update on his therapy journey so far. As anticipated, navigating a complex case takes considerable effort, but there's progress! With two therapies being utilised simultaneously, it's a challenging yet rewarding process—and you're invited to join the ride!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Support the show
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I did it! I (somehow) got Oasis tickets for the big reunion tour! But the whole process from announcement to purchase has been one big, imaginary catastrophe. Whether I was successful in getting a ticket or not felt like a life-or-death situation. And I could only see disappointment eventuating. My natural response. Thankfully the hopeful parts of me got me to the front of the queue, with a bit of good luck thrown in. One very significant victory, and we all need wins from time to time....
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told.
This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past and continue to influence my future.
Send Me a Message!
In this episode, Elliot takes us through a deeply personal experience of battling depression, recounting four days spent bed-ridden and being unable to face the world. It's a raw and honest look at how mental illness can take over, even for someone who advocates for mental health awareness.
Elliot shares some exciting news about the upcoming Intake Interview series, giving listeners a sneak peek into what's in store for the podcast. Tune in for an episode that’s both introspective and forward-looking as we continue to navigate the complexities of mental health together.
Send Me a Message!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Send Me a Message!
Hear all about how white-hot emotion has driven me to hyper-fixation. 4.40am in the morning this episode was recorded, after hours of fighting my inner critic, pushing aside my imposter syndrome, stumbling into obsessive loops, a whole lot of catastrophising, freezing and not much sleep! This is pure, unfiltered insight into what my psyche pushes me to do. One helluva work ethic I'll say that!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Send Me a Message!
In this episode I go back into the Psych ward and tell the story of the biggest turn-around of mental health I've ever seen. Unfortunately, no it didn't involve me, but a fellow patient who was suffering from Schizophrenia. From staying in his room and being mute to presenting and running the morning meetings, his response to medication was nothing short of a miracle!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Send Me a Message!
Low mood and the physical toll it takes can be crippling, halting even the best-laid plans. Although I don't suffer from these attacks as frequently as I used to, when they strike, the combination of low mood and sweating can be overwhelming.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Send Me a Message!
In this episode together we walk through each step of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), reflecting on the questions, the scoring process, and the results. Discover how this inventory provides clarity and direction in managing anxiety and tailoring therapy. I offer practical advice on how you can use the BAI to better understand your own anxiety and take actionable steps toward improving your mental health.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety yourself or simply interested in learning more about effective mental health tools, this episode provides valuable insights and encouragement. Tune in to learn how understanding your anxiety can be the first step toward managing it effectively.
Send Me a Message!
In the "My Therapy Reflections" series, I take you into the world of psychotherapy and share my experiences using psychological interventions to create a life worth living. It is therapy and counselling that will enable me to form the framework needed to not only recover from mental illness but to thrive and grow beyond. Therapy is the setting in which this phoenix will rise again, and you’re invited to come along on this journey with me!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Send Me a Message!
In the "My Therapy Reflections" series, I take you into the world of psychotherapy and share my experiences using psychological interventions to create a life worth living. It is therapy and counselling that will enable me to form the framework needed to not only recover from mental illness but to thrive and grow beyond. Therapy is the setting in which this phoenix will rise again, and you’re invited to come along on this journey with me!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this episode, join me as I navigate the whirlwind of my world, sharing insights and experiences from my ongoing mental health journey. From returning to therapy and ramping up my exercise routine to the fulfilling work I’m doing with the Black Dog Institute, including the webinars I've been presenting, there's a lot on my plate.
Plus, I'm excited to announce the launch of a new series on the podcast: Intake Interviews! In these upcoming episodes, I'll be interviewing fascinating guests, diving deep into their stories and exploring their unique perspectives on mental health.
Tune in for an honest, heartfelt, and inspiring look at how I'm managing the chaos of life and making strides in my mental health journey.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Against all the odds I have done it, 6 months off alcohol! And don't I feel better for it. Sunday mornings are mine again. And it doesn't take five days to mentally recover from a night out anymore! I reckon this is a great milestone, but the journey without the bottle goes on. Oh, and have I mentioned how much Kava has helped?!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this episode, I confront a troubling pattern that's taken hold of my life: weekends have become a time for checking out from the world and crawling within. Each weekend brings another block of dark days. Join me as I try to find answers—what's the cause? How can I fix it? This episode delves into the struggle of weekend depression and the search for solutions to reclaim my weekends and my peace of mind.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this lighthearted episode, I dive into a fun and unforgettable zoo adventure that almost got out of hand. In this episode I explore the quirks of stimming from autism, the unexpected reactions from zoo staff, and how a seemingly ordinary trip turned into a memorable experience!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Withdrawals from psychoactive medications is one thing, but to add COVID on top? That just isn't fair! But that is what I am contending with right now. This has turned out to be one helluva ride so far.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
The tapering process has begun, and right on cue withdrawal effects have started! This could get a lot uglier before things improve. Feels like one step forwards, two steps back at the moment!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
IMPORTANT: TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF CONSIDERING REDUCING OR STOPPING MEDICATION
My (missing) plan to taper off medications is ready to go. Because of side effects, most notably memory deficits, I have decided to taper off some of my medication. In true Elliot style though I don't really have a plan. But I'm hoping this episode will at least provide the framework for one! This is a big undertaking, especially when you consider I am on eight different medications. This isn't a process that will be resolved quickly. But I can assure you, I'll keep you updated every step of the way!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Weddings and alcohol, aren't they just meant to be? Well not for me! As difficult as it was, the streak continues. No alcohol, no hangxiety, no embarrassment and no regrets. A great day with great people. Congrats sis!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
I am fortunate to have been nominated for the 2024 University of Newcastle Young Alumni award. This has provided a great opportunity to reflect on what I have been trying to achieve in the mental health space and the work I have put in. This episode is a bit different from the rest; it is all about positivity and positivity towards the self! And more evidence to use against my inner critic.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Dating and alcohol, sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Well not for me. I need to figure out how to date sober and I've taken a big step forward with that! With some smart thinking, being open and honest and thinking of the big plan, the streak continues....
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how multiple psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence, my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Although social anxiety is an everyday challenge for me, I am able to minimise its impact. This is exactly what happened recently when I watched my mighty Newcastle Knights battle it out. Not only was I very vocal in the crowd, but I took my big banner as well! And the best part? We won!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
My (future) brother in-laws bucks party. What could go wrong? Well, nothing! Because I successfully navigated a very high risk situation and DID NOT drink any alcohol. The streak continues. And it felt pretty easy. But I know more difficult tests are coming, and I need to keep my resolve...
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this episode it's all about being sleep deprived. About being absolutely out on your feet but still pushing ahead, no matter what. Being extremely fatigued is not a new thing for me. In fact, I feel very uncomfortable with the uncomfortable. But what is there to show for it? And what implications does this have moving forward? Listen to hear more.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this episode, I put forward my credentials as a mental health warrior by sharing how I bounced back from a severe mental health episode. Learn about the transformative power of healthy habits and routines that became crucial in my recovery. Tune in to this empowering episode and let my story be a beacon of hope and resilience on the journey to mental well-being. It is a difficult road, but if I can do it, you can too!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In this episode, I share a deeply personal journey through an acute mental health crisis. I recount the challenges faced, the strength found within, and what this all means moving forward. This episode aims to shed light on the complexities of mental health, fostering understanding and compassion.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Dive into this episode where I spill the beans on the chill vibes of Kava and its sneaky anti-anxiety superpowers! I headed down the highway to Sydney for some presenter training at the Black Dog Institute, geeking out on the latest Mental Fitness research.
But here's the kicker - I've got this new obsession with my own speech, and it's driving me nuts. Blame it on my OCD, I guess. Join in as I navigate Kava calmness, mental fitness exploration, and the "quirks" of my newfound verbal fixation. It's a wild ride – tune in!
3 weeks down, 3 weeks to go. My stay at ISMHU is progressing nicely. Part of the deal though is that I put the breaks on the poddy until my stay is done. So yes, I am breaking the rules again! But, only to provide a quick update and to check in with those who have checked in with me. As always, thank you for your support!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Join me as I journey back to my old stomping ground. It's a reunion with the past, but this time, it's a different "me" – one ready to embrace a new chapter of growth that can only be achieved through strong routines and habits.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
My first week in the Intermediate Stay Mental Health Ward (ISMHU) is in the bag! Some improvements, and other areas to look at. The road to recovery and continued positive mental health has never looked so bright! But, I've had to break a few rules to get this episode out. But rules are meant to be broken, right?
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Join me in a raw and honest exploration of my ongoing battle with depression. In this real-time episode, I share the struggles, lessons learnt and everything in between, offering a glimpse into the daily struggles and victories on the path to mental well-being.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
It's been another big year for me and my mental health. Some mistakes were made, and some goals weren't reached. But on the other hand, some great strides have been made! The plan for 2024 is already taking shape and for the first time in a long time, I am looking forward to the year ahead!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
It is with great relief I can share with you my continued sobriety over what has been a very tempting Christmas and New Year period. So far I have stayed strong, replacing my normal alcohol beverage of choice (VB - full strength) with Carlton Zero which, as the label suggests contains no alcohol. And being able to have a beer with family and friends has made this process a lot easier.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
It's a busy time heading into Christmas, which is how I like it....sort of. Presentations, seminars, University research projects, wrestling with my inner critic. The usual. But my mood has been strong throughout which I am so thankful for and it shows the hard work is paying off!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
This is it. I promise—the dawn of a new era. I am breaking up with alcohol. It won't be easy, but it will prove to be a game-changer as far as my mental health is concerned.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
The Discharge Papers series takes a deep dive into what the doctors and psychiatrists were noting during my hospital admissions.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
I'm no stranger to anxiety attacks, but even for me this is a big one. I have been in this battle for almost a week now to get my nerves under control and the fight hasn't been won yet. And it appears that my anxiety enemy is adapting to a new style of control....
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and through this lens, my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and authentic account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Please support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
In the "My Therapy Reflections" series, I take you into the world of psychotherapy and share my experiences using psychological interventions to create a life worth living. It is therapy and counselling that will enable me to form the framework needed to not only recover from mental illness but to thrive and grow beyond. Therapy is the setting in which this phoenix will rise again, and you’re invited to come along on this journey with me!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Today is my birthday, 33 years old. Always a time of reflection. But this year there certainly are positives to focus on and thats my goal for today! The contrast from last year to this year is a very positive one and I deserve to allow myself to celebrate!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Progress is being made, although those rusted on negative emotions still linger. Routine and healthy habits need to be sustained, ensuring continual improvement for my mental health.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Slowly but surely the good habits are starting to develop. In this episode I have been on a run with my younger self. What was uncovered touches on identity, expectations, disappointment and opportunities for growth. My fifteen year-old self pulls no punches, and I have learnt a lot from this experience.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Night terrors, panic attacks, sweating profusely. It's been a hard few days. But, there are some great opportunities on the horizon. Plenty of gratitude despite some challenges!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Tonight is the first real test of my commitment to sobriety. A high risk situation as my psychologist would say. Lots of social demands, but we have rehearsed this. We can do it. We can Stay the Course.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwatersFollow on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and @thedysregulated.podcast
Yesterday was depression, today it is all about anxiety. The rollercoaster just keeps going!
Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwatersFollow on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and @thedysregulated.podcast
Times are tough. Really tough. And you're all along for the ride with me! Not an easy episode to record this one. But a very honest look at the hard times.
Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwatersFollow on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and @thedysregulated.podcastMy insecurities from the past resurface as I regress into a downward spiral. The first of its kind since my last hospital admission. These will continue to happen, but hopefully not as frequently. It is up to me to create a plan to negate these spirals and bounce back quickly.
Support me and the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/elliotwatersFollow on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and @thedysregulated.podcastFollow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived Experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
What day is it? Somewhere the days have got lost in transmission. Working to the bone. What for though? Is it for financial security, the ability to chase ones dreams? Or is it to satisfy an immature part of the psyche that needs to be pulled into line.....
Long live the Cambridge Hotel!
Long live the Cambridge Hotel. A huge chapter for myself (and the city) is closing, yet this might be the opportunity to pivot towards something more.....
Join the 'Dysregulated Membership' at www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived Experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Join today! www.patreon.com/elliotwaters
It takes a bit to keep this podcast moving. And the last thing I want to do is put ads on here and ruin the mood of the show! So I am launching the Dysregulated Membership, which gives you the opportunity to help support the show, and you get amazing good karma by also helping keep me in therapy and pay for all my medications!
It's official, Elliot the lived experience presenter for the Black Dog Institute is back! Back in a big way! The return is complete and i'm pretty happy with how it went. So listen in and share the euphoria with me!
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
Well, I'm back. Back presenting for the Black Dog Institute! It's been a while but it's show time. Although those usual nerves are hanging around.......
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived Experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
In this episode we go back in time, to when I was sixteen or in year 10 at high school. This is when my identity disturbance developed and my persona of the rock n roll star did as well. So much of my presentation today was borne out of this period of my life. A period where I just wanted to fit in. And as you will see in episode, not much has changed.
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
In this episode we take a deep dive within the brain to find out why ADHD can present itself. It is a very complex developmental disorder and there is more to be said on this topic! But this episode provides an overview backed up by the science and real-world lived experience.
Continuity. According to Google it means, "the unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over time". And this applies to our headspace as well. We need to have a clear memory or narrative that is consistent throughout our daily existence. And without this ability one finds themselves being tied to the current moment without a clear understanding of what has been, and what is coming. And that is a problem I am having right now!
Instagram: @elliot.t.waters AND @thedysregulated.podcast
In this episode I discuss using anger for good. But one has to be careful that the anger goes out of control. But when utilised correctly, it is a great motivating emotion.
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
The Dysregulated Podcast is driven by lived experience.
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
Follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
The inner critic. Always by my side. But I am working hard at putting it in its place. And to do that we must follow the plan. Healthy habits, robust routines. Thats how we win this race.
"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine". It sure is. But habits, routine and structure are concepts I have always struggled with. And a lot of it has to do with black and white thinking. So they key right now is to introduce more grey into my world. And with your help in keeping me accountable, we are getting there.
Life is full of compromises. Medications and side effects go hand in hand. So what happens if the medications cause cognitive issues, yet exponentially improve mood? Well, Elliot is finding this out right now, and you the listener will be kept up to date all the way!
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
After six weeks in the psych ward, yours truly is back! Well....hopefully. To be truly "back" a lot of hard work is still yet to come. Really, the hard work starts now! But today I felt something I haven't felt in a long time, and that is hope. Clear, tangible hope. And I think there is a whole lot more of it on the way!
Instagram: @elliot.t.waters AND @thedysregulated.podcast
This is it. No more medications! It is time for the psychological interventions to do their thing. Because unfortunately you cannot medicate personality, self esteem, insecurities etc. So this is the end of the line as far as medications go!
Finally some positive news! Elliot has returned to his psychologist. A clear plan moving forward has been created and hope has been restored. It won't be easy, but you'll hear all about the progress being made here on the show.
Follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and the show @thedysregulated.podcast
In this episode Elliot explains some of the medication changes he has been presented with and their impacts on his mental health. We also hear how a radio interview Elliot was apart of went, and the difficulties that he faces when doing so. Lastly, Elliot is seeing his psychologist again! The wheels are moving......
Follow Elliot on Instagram @elliot.t.waters and the show @thedysregulated.podcast
In this episode Elliot recounts his most recent stay in the psychiatric emergency department. Sometimes you have to make some noise to get the help that you need! And thankfully, after this short stay the help has been given. No podcast goes deeper than this one!
You can follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
Today featured my first clinical review while being admitted to the Intermediate Stay Mental Health Ward. Routine, routine, routine! That's what Elliot needs more of. And maybe some hobbies that aren't mental health related.....
You can follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
I share my thoughts straight out of a meditation session. It's all about how people drift into our lives, but often drift out over time as well. To me this is a very sad fact of life. But, a lot of the disconnection that occurs is within the self. As I know all too well.
Follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
The next instalment of the "My Journal" series. In this episode I recount a particularly interesting journal entry. Not so much because of the entry itself, but because of the context in which it was written.
Follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
Its official, I am back in hospital! A different hospital this time, at the James Fletcher campus. Just a quick check in to update you all on my latest happenings. Plenty more to be said about the last few days.....stay tuned!
To follow my journey in hospital please follow @thedysregulated.podcast on Instagram!
Sleep deprivation is never a fun time, and it poses a major problem if you are suffering from mental illness. In this episode I explore the effects sleep deprivation has on my mental health.
There is no podcast that goes deeper than this one. This is mental health. No glitz, no glamour. Just real people trying to live their best lives.
And I am one of those people. Today I had an interview to be taken on as an inpatient for six weeks to straighten out some of my most destructive cognitions. Mostly destructive to the self. Hopefully I am accepted. Because what I need right now is hope for the future, and a pathway to get there.
And make no mistake, my faithful listeners. You will be there every step of the way. The support you have given me is nothing short of fantastic. So thank you all.
Together, we've got this. Just keep punchin....
You can contact me on instagram @elliot.t.waters OR @thedysregulated.podcast
I have been referred by my GP to the Intermediate Stay Mental Health Unit for ongoing treatment in the public system. This episode has a look at what is contained within the referral and some thoughts of mine regarding the use of such a program and my fear that I won't be accepted.
Discover Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with 'The Dysregulated Podcast'!
Episode #2: Wise Mind
Return to hospital, break ups and BPD. It has been a few big weeks, but the real challenges are yet to come.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived Experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Have you ever wondered what it is like living with mental illness? Well this is the episode for you. This is as raw, genuine and honest as it gets. This is the real deal. And for those of you who can relate to these experiences? I am here with you. You aren't alone.
You can follow the podcast on Instagram, @thedysregulated.podcast
My time at then Maitland Private Hospital was very much concerned with reducing the number of psychoactive medications I was having (with little benefit) and to go old school in the search of medications that may prove useful. This was achieved through the use of a Tricyclic Antidepressant known as Clomipramine.
But since being discharged it has become apparent that the Clomipramine on its own isn't quite doing the job. So in this episode we look at where we have come from and what lies ahead.
The next instalment of the fortnightly check-in series. Medication changes, flat feelings and exciting episodes on their way!
Discover Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with 'The Dysregulated Podcast'!
Episode #1: Radical Acceptance
Happy New Year! We are at the start line of another year, congratulations! Never before have I felt as much potential going into a new year. But in order to reach our potential there are a few areas that need a bit of tweaking....but could this be the start of Elliot's big comeback?! Only time will tell.....
Follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
DBT is the gold standard treatment for BPD, as well as proving helpful for many other concerns relating to mental health. This episode is the first of a new series looking at DBT and the skills that it uses. These skills and techniques can help all of us enrich and improve our lives, whether suffering from BPD or not. DBT is a proven treatment and I am so excited to introduce its concepts!
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. Lived Experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
Follow my journey living with mental illness and the hard-fought lessons learned along the way. The lived experience is the driving force of this podcast, and it is through this lens that my stories are told. This is a raw, honest, and very real account of how various psychological disorders have shaped my past, and continue to influence my future.
5000 reasons to be grateful. Big thank you to all who continue to support the show, you mean the world to me!
Follow the podcast on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
This episode focuses on my most recent stay in a psychiatric ward. During my admission a complete medication overhaul was undertaken, and a lot of time was spent analysing my behaviours and discovering parts of the self which need to be worked on. The ship has turned around and is back on course, but in order to keep moving forward there is a lot more to do. This admission is only one part of this ever developing story.
You can follow the podcast on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
The stories continue from my time on the psych ward, this time focusing on my current and very real problem of withdrawals. It is hard enough when your brain wants to play tricks on you but even more challenging when medications used in the past are actually found to be part of the problem. And it isn't as simple as just stopping dosages, oh no!
Who would've thought colouring in could be so stressful?! Well, when you have Social Anxiety Disorder to contend with it starts to make sense.
Being in the common room here at the hospital hasn't been easy for someone like me. Are they negatively judging me? Or is it all in my head? Well, in this episode we find out and learn a quick and easy skill to overcome some of Social Anxieties core beliefs.
Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD. Such a crucial component of my psyche and has had such a large bearing on my life. So this episode I try to break down BPD to see where it comes from, what it's like having it as well as how those around the individual can be affected.
The good news is if BPD is treated then great results can be found, including complete remission from the disorder. So for the BPD sufferers listening, of which I am one, we can do this!
Hot off the heels of a brand new diagnosis I thought it might be a good idea to have a bit of a look at it! Aspergers Syndrome, although now referred to as high functioning Autism, further explains bits and pieces of my story and offers an explanation as to why so many of my medication regimens have failed!
The beginning of my psych ward journey. I touch on some first impressions, what I've been getting up to and some of the diagnostic and pharmacological alternations that have already been made. Big changes already, which is exactly what we were looking for!
Almost one week down, a few more to go!
I finally have confirmation, in just a few days time I will be admitted for an extended stay in a psychiatric ward. This is great news!
In this episode I discuss how difficult it has been waiting for admission, and the measures I have had to take to combat my obsessive negative intrusive thoughts. I explain what awaits me at the psych ward, my mentality towards it and the expectations I have for the process.
This is going to be a difficult few weeks, yet the meaning and purpose I have to justify this suffering is clear. We hope to get back on track, learn some new skills and ways of thinking, and start to turn this ship around. And if we work hard and try our best, what awaits is peace of mind, and a life worth living.
The "BPD, OCD and Depression Mechanistic Model" is a conceptualisation I have created to highlight and explain how these disorders work in tandem to make life difficult for us with living with these illnesses.
On their own these disorders can do untold levels of damage and ruin lives, but when they link up and work together the results can be devastating. Through the knowledge of how these disorders gang up on us and the ways in which to treat and eventually dismantle the mechanism is crucial.
I am hopeful that during this episode I have explained adequately what the model is all about, how it works and importantly what options we have at removing it for good.
In this episode I read out and explore the referral letter sent by my GP to the Maitland Private hospital. It is this letter that has got me in to get the help I desperately need.
I am hopeful that it shows at least in part the process involved in gaining an admission to a private psychiatric ward and gives a brief overview of what I have been dealing with over the last few months to years, and some of the possible causes.
This is as real as it gets. This is my actual referral letter read out in full. It is important that those who might be a bit unsure of where to turn to next, or what processes are involved to seek help listen to this episode as it outlines exactly what is needed from your doctor to get real assistance.
Those suffering from mental illness often feel as though they are alone, but that is certainly not the case. And by listening to this podcast together we can navigate the difficult and often frustrating avenues to seeking real help and improving our quality of life.
It has been a little while since an episode has been uploaded (apologies), but all is explained within. I have been plagued by constant obsessive and negative intrusive thoughts which has made life my personal version of hell.
In true Elliot style though, we have not given up! We have a new plan to tackle my mental illnesses and they don't know what is about to hit them!
Lately my presentation has been very much driven by OCD, helped along by my other mental illnesses. This is nothing new....but our approach to dealing with these challenges are about to change.
Armed with our new plan I am confident the old Elliot, the one with the spark and enthusiasm for life, will return once more. **Watch out world!
Instagram: @thedysregulated.podcast**
This episode is the first in a long while. And unfortunately it isn't all good news. But! Thanks to a resilient mindset borne out of the inspirational Rocky series, this guy isn't throwing in the towel!
A special thank you to each and every listener. Your support certainly has got me through some dark days and I look forward to sharing in the wins again with you soon.
In this episode I explain how the hardest three weeks have impacted me, and in particular how the last two days have been undoubtably the most difficult of my mental health journey so far. But fear not! This episode has a positive ending! But it took everything I had to get there. This is as raw, genuine and real as it gets. This is an episode coming from the frontlines of my mental health battle. The good news is, I got a few good shots in!
You can follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
This was a hard episode to record and I think you can hear it in my voice. I have just about ran out of fuel and am barely holding on!
I explain how Depression, Anxiety and ADHD contribute to running our energy levels down and the implications this can have on us. There are two ways to fill up your fuel tank, organic healthy means such as exercise and good diet, or you can rely on medications. And if you have been crippled by different mental illnesses such as I have recently, you only get one choice.
And that choice can make things a lot worse.
You can follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
The week from hell continues as we dig in and fight onwards! Every moment spells danger but thanks to true grit and resilience we are in the game and doing our best. This mental-health warrior has plenty left in the tank!
New jobs throw up their challenges, but when you are so self-defeating it can make the task to press on so much more difficult. But that is exactly what I am doing. No surrender here!
In this episode I finally reveal what my new job is, and the stress that I have been putting on myself since I started. I analyse why I put such lofty expectations on my performance, which I think has to do with a defensive mechanism gone wrong. And of course, my various mental illnesses have played their part in making this happen!
You can follow the show on Instagram @thedysregulated.podcast
In this episode I dive back into my hospital discharge papers and reflect on what was possibly the lowest period of my life. I recount the circumstances brought upon by mental illness which saw me admitted to a psychiatric ward, and the follow-up consultation with the psychiatrist who would formally diagnose me with Borderline Personality Disorder.
This episode contains a trigger warning for themes relating to self harm and suicidal ideation.
If you or someone you care about needs support please visit www.findahelpline.com or www.blackdog.org.au
This episode explores my first week in my new job! Although I can't go into specifics about this new job just yet. And the reason for this? Anxiety! My old friend who just likes to stick around....
I dive into some of the illogical beliefs and thought processes I have been contending with over the last few days which have threatened, but not succeeded, in derailing what is a great step forward. The battle rages on but so far we are standing tall!
Been a bit of a struggle over the last two weeks, but recording an episode is a great way to push back against negative thoughts and emotions!
Caffeine has for a long time been a very significant part of my mental health story. So much so that I have been told I have "Caffeine Use Disorder". So what is this disorder and what does it mean for our caffeine intakes? In this episode I go through the qualifiers for Caffeine Use Disorder and share some insights into how caffeine has been helpful and a hinderance along my mental health journey.
In this episode I talk about my struggles with anhedonia and feeling "flat". I touch on how ADHD and Depression appear to be linked by anhedonia and the neurotransmitter dopamine. Finally, I share some tips on goal setting and the importance of taking small incremental steps towards our grand objectives.
In this episode I discuss two techniques to create space from negative thought processes, cognitive distancing and cognitive defusion. By deciding how we engage with thoughts, whether they have validity or not, and being able to watch them drift by, we can extinguish negative thoughts before they impact our emotions and behaviours.
In this episode I re-live one of my hardest bouts with mental illness. Every day was a war, and it took a few unfortunate events for me to decide a trip up to the hospital was needed to gain some allies in my battle. I dive into the discharge papers from the psychiatrist which gives a holistic view of how I was presenting during this time. I didn't come away from the hospital with a magic pill, but I was able to adjust my perception just enough to put me on a better path.
The sixth instalment of the Fortnightly Check-In series. In this episode I tackle daytime sleepiness and the possible role SSRI's are having in causing somnolence. I also investigate a new medication I have been prescribed for my anxiety disorders, Lyrica (Pregabalin). Further, I have successfully weaned myself off one of my antipsychotic medications and I explain why this is a very good idea as backed by the research.
Although I am still suffering from a mystery virus and the impacts it is having on my mental health, the show must go on!
I’m sick! I've been struck down with a cold and as a result my mental health has rapidly deteriorated. Many view mental health as being confined to the mind, but as I illustrate with great difficulty (in between gasps for air), that just isn't the case. Whatever virus I have picked up is playing havoc with my mood and for a variety of reasons. But I can't blame all of my woes on being sick, as many of the negative thoughts I am dealing with could've been nullified if I had faced my anxieties head on. Perhaps being sick is just bringing to the surface those that I have worked so hard to repress....?
Sertraline (Zoloft), Black Dog Institute presentations and camping. How is mental illness affecting me right....now? The next instalment of the Fortnightly Check-In series has it all!
Part 2 of the Left vs Right Brain series. In this episode I introduce two therapies which have a focus towards left brain processes and behaviours: CBT & DBT. I also put forward the current state of play with therapeutic approaches and offer some possible ways to improve the therapeutic relationship and course of therapy.
In this episode I discuss how things have been over the last few weeks: an increase in anxiety, new medications and an intense loss of capacity. Although I have been in the wars a bit lately I'm not about to surrender to the enemy!
The next instalment of the "My Journal" series looks at two of my journal entries during a mental health crisis. On this occasion I made the decision to go to hospital, to try and regain a sense of hope around my predicament. The first journal entry was written the day before going to hospital and the second the day after. This offers a unique insight into the influence mental health professionals can have on those battling mental illness, and also some of the thoughts and feelings that can precede a mental health event. Further, I also examine the discharge summary papers written by the Psychiatrist who assessed me and contrast this objective assessment with my own perceptions of how I was thinking and behaving.
This episode I delve into what it's like to assume, create and hold onto social rejection. None of us enjoy the feeling of rejection, but for some (like me) it can prove a huge barrier to improving one's quality of life and interpersonal relationships. This is especially true when logic is hard to come by in the face of perceived, but not necessarily founded, social disappointment.
This week is all about mandatory isolation and Covid! And that means plenty of podcast episodes, because what else is there to do? Yet, this week a few goals were ticked off the list, among them my first consultation with my new Psychologist! So far so good.....I think.
In this episode I have a look at what it means when psychiatric illnesses are deemed, "treatment resistant". Although we don't want to find ourselves in the situation where the tried and true therapeutic approaches aren't working, the good news is this is not uncommon and there are ways out of the treatment resistant zone. Novel treatments and ever evolving research show us that one's quality of life can still be improved immensely and the remission of symptoms very possible.
This episode I explore how I am feeling....right now. After all, it is the present that really matters, right? Or so they say anyway. This is the first of the 'Check In' series which offers listeners genuine, real-time insight into what it is like living with multiple mental illnesses.
In this episode we dive into one of Pop-Psych's favourite topics; the Left Brain vs Right Brain dominance theory. The concept will be discussed in a two-part series.
This first instalment sets out to answer the following:
Does the theory hold a degree of validity?
What are the implications for cognition, behaviour and personality?
How does being left or right brain-dominant explain the development of mental illness and distress?
The second part of the series will evaluate the implications of being left or right brain-dominant when engaging with different types of therapies available in Psychology.
To contact me follow on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
In this episode I recall the year that has been. It is also a story of the perils of being a self anointed workaholic! A cracker to end 2021, see you next year for more!
To reach out please do so on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
I am so lucky to be able to share my story, whether that's in person or on this podcast. Yet as privileged that I am to have an audience that listens to me, it is the audience that teaches and inspires me so much more. It is you, the listener, who provides me with my greatest honour.
To get in contact please follow @elliot.t.waters on Instagram.
Anxiety. Easily my most stubborn foe. In this episode I tell how anxiety is currently making itself known and forcing me into less than ideal behaviours.
To contact me please follow @elliot.t.waters on Instagram.
The "My Journal" series continues as I analyse one of my most confronting entries.
To contact me follow @elliot.t.waters on Instagram.
In this episode I recount the circumstances around the completion of my thesis. In true Elliot style, it did not go to plan. Anxiety and ADHD both did their best to derail and prevent the thesis from being submitted, but pure determination and grit won the day!
If you would like to contact me please follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
In this episode I dive back into my journal and re-tell some of the events and ways in which mental illness has shaped my life. This episode is particularly raw and emotional. It captures the distress and turmoil different mental illnesses can cause. As I read my journal, I am amazed at how vivid these memories are. The "My Journal" episodes are proving to be quite therapeutic.....
If you would like to contact me please do so on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
Today I look at some of the ways in which mental illness goes beyond the mind. We look at some behavioural and physical responses that are making themselves known to me in real time. Mental illness certainly isn't just, "in your head"!
If you'd like to reach out please do so on Instagram, @elliot.t.waters
On this episode I have a look at procrastination, avoidance and how these are affecting me right now, today. I explore this idea that there are two main forms of avoidance and how these are playing a role in limiting my ability to solve the tasks that really need solving, NOW!
If you're enjoying the podcast please feel like to share around. If you'd like to contact me please do so on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
I was lucky enough to be interviewed by ABC Radio Newcastle about the podcast and a few other projects I have been working on in the mental health space. I explore what I hope to achieve through the podcast and how I want to make it different from the others. And it all boils down to the raw lived experience.
To connect with me please follow me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters
In today's episode it is all about breaking free of the comfort zone. Or in my case, going for a run. Sounds simple right? Well for me and many others, it isn't. I breakdown how my mental illnesses try to play tricks on me keeping me stranded in the "comfort zone". Often they win the battle, but not today. Today I am happy to say, I went for a run!
Feel free to contact me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters. Thanks for listening!
In this episode we dive into my journal, which I think details my different parts of the mental health journey the best. Yes, these entries are quite negative but there is positivity to be found and then built upon!
To connect with me please follow me @elliot.t.waters on Instagram.
In this episode I re-tell a story during time spent in a psychiatric ward where I met Dianne, who would change my life forever. I discuss the importance of accepting one's circumstances and how the commitment to change can follow. Also, the role external feedback plays when trying to see through the fog of mental illness is explored through my own lived experience. As is discussed during this episode, the objective input of others can be life changing and ultimately, life saving.
Feel free to contact me on Instagram @elliot.t.waters. Thanks for listening!
In October 2020 I was lucky enough to present at a town hall event in Kiama, New South Wales. A great community working hard to improve mental health outcomes.
Feel free to like, subscribe and share and if you want to get in touch please do through Instagram @elliot.t.waters. Thanks for listening!
I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Black Dog Institute to take part as a panellist discussing the concepts of rumination and worry.
Panel Members:
- Elliot Waters – Lived Experience Representative
- Professor Michelle Moulds – School of Psychology at UNSW
- Nisha Sethi – Clinical Psychologist
Dr Carol Newall – Facilitator
Recording and sound production – Nathan Bell
Voiceover – Cameron Banks, Black Dog Institute
Meet me, Elliot! Together, we are going to unlock and remove the grey surrounding mental illness. But I will need your help, link with me on Instagram: @elliot.t.waters, share your experiences (anonymous of course) and let the regulation begin!