Elliot Waters | Lived Experience Mental Health

The Dysregulated Podcast

Health EN ↓ 240 episodes

I live with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, OCD & BPD — and this podcast shares the hard-fought lessons I’ve learned along the way. This is lived-experience mental health , told with complete honesty and zero filter, including the vulnerable and significant moments that continue to shape my life today. Through personal reflections, therapy insights, interviews, nervous system regulation, and real-world struggles, I explore what it means to live with complex mental illness — grounded in psychological science and research.

Author

Elliot Waters | Lived Experience Mental Health

Category

Health

Latest episode

Jun 29, 2026

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Episodes

My Therapy Reflections #7 - The Cognitive Overthinker (Internal Family Systems & EMDR) 21.11.2024

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...

Fortnightly Check-in #37 - Annual Leave With My Anxiety 20.11.2024

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...

Locking In My Fundamentals: Two Weeks to Renewed Mental Clarity 15.11.2024

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...

Fortnightly Check-In #36 - Capacity Issues 07.11.2024

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...

Ramping Up the Pressure on My ADHD 31.10.2024

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...

My Therapy Reflections #6 - Dissociative Confusion 22.10.2024

 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...

Fortnightly Check-In #35 - Undefined Anxiety Attack 22.10.2024

** 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...

Intake Interviews #2 - Stell (Part 2): A Brighter Outlook on Life and Motherhood 08.10.2024

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...

Finding Focus Again: My Shift Back to Vyvanse 05.10.2024

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.  -...

My Therapy Reflections #5 – Guests at the Dinner Table (Internal Family Systems) 26.09.2024

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...

Intake Interviews #1 - Estelle (Part 1): Motherhood, Mental Illness and Resilience 24.09.2024

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...

Introducing the Intake Interviews: Real Stories of Lived Experience 24.09.2024

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...

ADHD and Me: First Impressions Of My New Psychiatrist 20.09.2024

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...

The Psych Ward Stories: The Fear of Loneliness 19.09.2024

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...

My Therapy Reflections #4 - EMDR and My Internal Family 12.09.2024

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...

Oasis Mania: From Anxious Catastrophe to Cautious Elation 03.09.2024

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...

Bed Ridden: Days Of Severe Depression 29.08.2024

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...

Fortnightly Check-In #34 22.08.2024

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...

Hyper-Fixation Madness: ADHD In Control 14.08.2024

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...

The Psych Ward Stories: Antipsychotic Medication Miracle 11.08.2024

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...

Mood Slow Down - Depression And Panic Sweats 08.08.2024

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,...

Measuring My Stress and Worry: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) 22.07.2024

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 menta...

My Therapy Reflections #3 - Dissociative Amnesia 18.07.2024

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 y...

My Therapy Reflections #2 07.07.2024

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 y...

Embracing Chaos: Therapy, Advocacy, and New Beginnings 05.07.2024

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 s...

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