The Dysregulated Podcast

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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 a...

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 i...

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 anxie...

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 s...

Discover Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with ' The Dysregulated Podcast '!  Episode #3: Pros and Cons -- 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.

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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 ha...

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—bu...

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...

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 struggle...

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 fu...

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...

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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 ap...

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 re...

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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 an...

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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, a...

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. -- Follow The Dysregulated Podcast : Instagram – @elliot.t.wat...

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 dis...

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 fin...

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 aroun...

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 ex...