In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I chat with Anneka from the UK about her powerful journey through agoraphobia, panic disorder, and the healing journey.

From a life-altering panic attack on the motorway to navigating enclosed spaces and hospital visits, Anneka shares the raw reality of living with anxiety—and the steps she's taken toward healing. We touch on everything from therapy and medication to small wins, self-compassion, and the community she’s built to support others. It’s an honest, hopeful conversation about facing fear and finding your way back to yourself.

Anneka is an absolute ray of sunshine and I know you guys will enjoy this chat as much as I did!

You can find Anneka at https://www.instagram.com/anneka.panicker/and https://www.annekapanicker.co.uk/

If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com.I would love to have you!For all enquiries, please email me at "hello@iamlaurenrose.com"My Website - http://iamlaurenrose.comMy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenr_roseMy Book - https://www.amazon.com.au/Here-You-Are-Courageous-Relationship/dp/1401994415If you are struggling with an anxiety disorder, PLEASE don't be afraid to seek help. You can get help RIGHT NOW from Beyond Blue - call 1300 22 4636, or visithttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support?&gclid=CjwKEAjwkPS6BRD2ioKR7K245jASJAD1ZqHOKpibw-KeAuRr2anqlMlyC8Kg0qn04AeBkubgTE1xhBoCN0Xw_wcB

In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I reflect on a comment I received that really stuck with me. A listener shared how a video of mine inspired them to face discomfort because, as they put it, "I want to live." It made me think about my own struggles with wanting to live fully but often holding myself back due to anxiety, fear, and the desire to be "perfectly ready." So many of us live in the "waiting room" of life, telling ourselves we’ll do things when everything aligns—when we’re less anxious, when we have more time or money, when things feel more "right."

I dive into the idea that waiting to live fully can hold us back from experiencing life right now. We get so caught up in the mental loop, waiting for the perfect circumstances or for the "perfect bus" to come, when, in reality, life is already happening. I explore how anxiety physically manifests in our bodies, making it hard to move, but how connecting with our bodies through movement—whether it’s dance, yoga, or something playful—can be a game-changer.

If you're in that place of waiting or holding back, I hope this episode encourages you to take action now, in whatever way feels possible for you. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what this episode brings up for you.

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If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com. I would love to have you!

Welcome to season 3 of Us Anxious Folk :)In this episode of Us Anxious Folk, I chat with Elijah Cassidy - filmmaker, director and writer, and also a fellow Aussie-dweller!

Elijah talks us through his lifelong experiences with anxiety, including his journey with agoraphobia after a major panic attack, and how championing the small steps and channeling his fear through creativity have helped him along his path to recovery.

We discuss the importance of exercising caution when it comes to googling and the self-help industry, the non-linear nature of healing, and why fantasy has helped him to tell his story, in his new film Space Man. You can find Elijah at https://www.elijahcassidy.com/ @elijahcassidy or on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elijahcassidy_/If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and share your anxiety story, please get in touch with me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com. I would love to have you!