Us Anxious Folk

In episode 17, I spoke to Sarah J Bowen, a fellow book-worm, writer and mama from Melbourne, who is currently working on her first novel(!)

Sarah opened up to me about her history with anxiety - from being diagnosed with PTSD, to dealing with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and breaking down the stigma of mental illness. We spoke about the acceptance around taking medication, working through exposure and getting out there, as well as the power of words and creativity as a way to heal.

Mentioned on this episode: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/power-over-panic-9780670074259

and not mentioned during the episode but also this incredibly helpful link Sarah shared with me - "I wanted to mention this website that has amazing online courses, it’s probably one of the things that helped me the most and I revisit it all the time, especially when I’m struggling. The courses are put together by St Vincent’s Hospital and University of NSW: https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/panic-program/ It literally steps you through how to overcome panic disorder with exposure therapy, challenging your thoughts and also this interesting strategy of exposing your body to panic attack sensations in a safe environment which is never come across before. So practical and helpful."

You can find Sarah at her website https://sarahjbowen.com/ or on instagram @sarahjbowen.writer

In episode 16, I had the pleasure of speaking to Meg, a mumma from NSW, all about her experiences with health anxiety.

From her worries about germs and stomach bugs, to DVT, Meg spoke candidly about the impacts health anxiety has had on her life, and how she's brought up two beautiful children whilst working her way through her fears. We also talked about dealing with the covid19 pandemic and a global obsesssion on social distancing, as well as how she found relief through talk therapy, EFT, and the healing power of nature.

You can find Meg on instagram @shakinghandswithfear

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If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, please get in touch with me via the website iamlaurenrose.com

On Episode 15 of Us Anxious Folk, I talk to Stacey Fisher from Melbourne about her experience with anxiety after the birth of her daughter. Stacey found herself living in a tropical paradise and having everything she 'should' want, but at the same time, feeling unwell, uneasy, and on the verge of breakdown. We spoke about 'The Crumbling' (something I love to talk about!) about finding yourself, and how discovering Human Design showed Stacey the missing link between herself and the life she was itching to live.

You can find Stacey at https://www.staceyfisher.com/ or on instagram @your.unique.design

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If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, please get in touch with me via my website, or email me at [email protected]

In today's episode, I talk to Ashley from California all about her experiences with agoraphobia, health anxiety - from an obsession with checking her blood sugar to a deep fear of passing out - inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, plus the books that she found really helped her, and how she ended up writing her own treatment program and exposure charts to enable her to travel and graduate with her Masters in Social Work. 

Ashley and I talk about the healing power of nature, as well as the exhaustion that comes along with constantly feeling unwell, and how she now knows exactly what to do when she's afraid of doing something...

You can find Ashley (and details about her exposure charts and recovery journey) on instagram at @journey_through_fear

The two books mentioned by Ashley in this episode are

Dare - Barry McDonagh

Hope & Help For Your Nerves - Claire Weekes

If you would like to be a guest on Us Anxious Folk and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at [email protected] 

In today's episode of Us Anxious Folk, I explore procrastination: why we hold ourselves back from the scary things, from the important things, from the things we actually want to be doing. 

We look at the chemical reasons behind procrastinating, as well as the habitual and self-belief based reasons as to why we get stuck in a rut of repeating the same behaviours over and over again.

Brought to you on a day where my own procrastination was rearing it's ol' familiar head. 

To be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me either on my website, or my instagram.

In episode 12 of Us Anxious Folk, I speak to Mikayla from Auckland, NZ. We discuss her experiences with health anxiety: Mikayla speaks candidly about her fears of choking and gagging, and how she became utterly convinced that she was going to have a stroke - and how she worked her way through those fears. As someone who also struggles with agoraphobia, Mikayla spoke about her exposure therapy, and how she's learning to find a way towards healing.

Mikayla shares some valuable advice about journaling for clarity, and drops an absolute truth bomb regarding fact vs feeling, as well as her plans for the future.

You can find Mikayla on her instagram 

To be a guest on the show, please get in touch with me at [email protected]

or DM me on instagram at @laurenr_rose
 My Youtube Channel 

In the first episode for 2022 (!) I share something I have never shared before: My Toilet Anxiety Story.

I've spoken about my anxiety story (at length) many times over the last decade - and there are many ways in which my toilet anxiety story and my anxiety story intersect and overlap. But while my anxiety story starts about eight or nine years ago, my experiences with toilet anxiety stretch much further back.

To be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me either on my website, or my instagram.

Episode 10 featured not one, but two guests! I spoke to Melbourne sisters Em & Eliza Belleville about their anxiety stories - from emetophobia, sleep anxiety and eating disorders to medication, traveling with anxiety, and how Em found herself jumping out of a plane for fun (....I know.) 

These two lovely ladies were so open about what they've been through in their personal lives and had many insights to share about the mental health system in Australia, the s**t people will tell you that will make you feel like you can't do what you want to do, and why you ARE CAPABLE of doing the things you dream about.

You can find Em and Eliza on instagram at 
@eliza_belleville & @em.belleville

To be a guest on the show, please get in touch with me at [email protected]

or DM me on instagram at @laurenr_rose
 My Youtube Channel 

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts. Please take care if choosing to listen.

Today's episode of Us Anxious Folk explores the lessons I've learned from the last fifteen years on antidepressants.

My history with SSRI's has been a tumultuous one, and over the years I have changed my mind over and over about being on medication.

Is medication right for me?

Will this pill fix my panic symptoms?

Can medication and natural therapies work together?

Am I less of a 'healthy' and 'well' person for being on antidepressants?

These are among the questions that have reverberated around my head each time I've pondered my prescriptions. In this episode, I speak about five lessons that I've learned over the years, and how I've come to a place of respect and wellbeing within myself.

To be a guest on the show, please get in touch with me at [email protected]

or DM me on instagram at @laurenr_rose

My Youtube Channel 

On today's episode of Us Anxious Folk, I'm joined by the lovely Annie Hull from South Australia. Annie is a mother of 2 beautiful kids, a wife, and a counselling, psychology and neuroscience student (I know 😳) and someone who deals with OCD, GAD and panic disorder. 
In this episode, Annie takes us through the ways in which her OCD manifests, as well as how she navigates studying, and parenting, all while dealing with her own journey through exposures.
She talks about learning to come from a place of compassion, as well as changing the narrative about emotions, and why she feels safer with a trolley! (This was one of my favourite conversations)

You can find Annie at her instagram Fight Flight or Write

To be a guest on the show, please get in touch with me at [email protected]