The Dysregulated Podcast

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.

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. 

--

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.

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".

--

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.

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. 

--

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 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.

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!

--

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 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.

--

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 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. 

--

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.

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!

--

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.

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...

--

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.