The Dysregulated Podcast

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...

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 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...

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 c...

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 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...

 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...

** 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. -- Follow The Dysregulat...

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...

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.  -...

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 p...

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...

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, offeri...

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 episo...

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...

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 wa...

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...

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 p...

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/el...

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...

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 l...

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,...