Rebecca Frayn on Anxiety, Withdrawal & Rebuilding a Life from Rock Bottom
In this episode of Hurt to Healing, Pandora is joined by writer and filmmaker Rebecca Frayn, who opens up about her battle with chronic illness, debilitating anxiety, and the harrowing experience of Xanax withdrawal.Rebecca shares how a severe health crisis triggered a cascade of physical and mental struggles, culminating in a full nervous system collapse during the pandemic. She speaks candidly about the reality of waking up with "a gun to the head" kind of fear, the quiet shame of high-functioning breakdowns, and the difficult decision to enter rehab for a short-term prescription addiction that turned into something far more gripping.Together, Pandora and Rebecca explore:
What extreme anxiety really feels like behind closed doors
The hidden risks of benzodiazepine dependency — even in short-term use
The power of honesty, vulnerability, and telling people: “I’m not okay”
How regenerative farming and nature became a vital part of her recovery
Navigating eco-grief and finding hope in a world on fire
The daily rituals that helped her slowly rebuild her mental health
Now thriving after what she calls the most transformative year of her life, Rebecca offers a message of hope to anyone feeling like they can’t go on: Start small. Lay a single brick. And know that it all adds up.This is a conversation about resilience, self-compassion, and the quiet power of starting over—at any age.Find Rebecca:Website: https://www.rebeccafrayn.com/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Om Podcasten
Welcome to the Hurt to Healing podcast with me, Pandora Morris. I’ve been fighting an uphill battle with my mental health for years and it’s only now that I’ve started to see some glimmers of light. It’s almost unbelievable to think I am starting this podcast considering my incessant compulsions would normally try to talk me out of it. But here I am, continuing to fight my invisible bullies one day at a time.
As part of my own recovery, I’ve made it my mission to support as many of you as possible on your own healing journey. I’ll be speaking to wonderful people from all walks of life who will open up about their own invisible struggles in the hope that it will provide a bit of solace and comfort for some of you. I’ll also be speaking to leading experts and doctors about different disorders and therapies that might help each of you expand your knowledge on the world of mental health.