But You Look So Good

Afleveringen

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  Weaponising Competence 14.09.2026 39min

  What happens when being capable starts being used as evidence that you’re not struggling?In this episode, we’re talking about weaponising competence—what happens when your ability to work, parent, socialise, achieve, or simply get through the day is mistaken for proof that you’re doing fine. We explore the reality that you can be incredibly capable and completely overwhelmed; strong and exhausted; functioning and struggling.Because competence tells us what someone accomplished, but it doesn’t tell us what it took to accomplish it.We’ll unpack the hidden costs of chronic illness, the pressure to keep proving that you’re struggling, and why a good day, or a successful week, doesn’t mean you’re suddenly well. Plus, we share psychological strategies for separating your performance from your wellbeing, recognising the true cost of functioning, and embracing the power of “both/and” thinking.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  MS and Type 1 Diabetes: Rachel’s Voice 10.09.2026 20min

   Today you are hearing from Rachel. Rachel was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 19 in 1998, and after six years of searching for answers, she received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2015. She also lives with an undiagnosed muscle condition that has affected her daily life for over a decade. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey through diagnosis, the emotional toll of chronic illness, and the lessons she's learnt about listening to her body, asking for help, and finding gratitude in the present moment. This is her story.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Re-Release - Pets & Health: The Power of Companionship 07.09.2026 38min

  Join us this week as we revisit a fun, heart-warming dive into the world of pets and the surprising ways they can boost our wellbeing - especially when living with a chronic health condition. From loyal dogs who get us out the door, to snuggly cats who know exactly when we need comfort, to fish, birds, and all the quirky critters in between, this episode explores why animals can make such a big difference to our daily lives.Sally and Seona chat about the science behind companionship, the gentle motivation pets bring to move our bodies, and the small routines that help us feel grounded. They also keep it real, unpacking the less-fluffy side of pet ownership - the costs, the cleaning, and the challenges of caring for an animal when your own health is unpredictable.Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or pet-curious, this one’s for you!⁠⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠⁠
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  Growing Up With Vision Loss: An Interview with Penny 03.09.2026 34min

  Today you are hearing from Penny. Penny lives with retinitis pigmentosa, or RP, a genetic eye condition that causes progressive vision loss. She was diagnosed at 16 with the very same condition her mom has lived without-- with the very same condition her mom has lived with throughout her life. In this conversation, Penny takes us back to the moment she first realized something wasn't quite right and what it was like receiving that diagnosis as a teenager while her twin sister was getting her driver's license and planning for the future. We talk about relationships, motherhood, and the very real decision of whether to have children, knowing they could inherit RP. Penny also shares what living with low vision actually looks like day to day, the constant mental load, and the things that other people often misunderstand. And we talk about Penny's mom and the influence that watching her live with RP had on how Penny came to understand and navigate her own disability. This is Penny's story. We hope you enjoy.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  How Do I Explain This Pain? When ‘0 to 10’ Just Isn’t Enough. 31.08.2026 35min

  How do you explain pain when “it hurts” just doesn’t seem to cover it? In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most frustrating parts of living with chronic illness: trying to describe your pain to healthcare professionals. We unpack the difference between acute and chronic pain, why chronic pain can be so complex, and whether a 0–10 pain scale really tells the whole story. We also introduce the Mankoski Pain Scale, which takes a different approach by looking at what pain actually stops you from doing. From burning, stabbing and electric pain to the hidden impact on sleep, work, relationships and everyday life, we explore why pain isn’t always visible—and why functioning doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not hurting. Plus, practical tips for communicating your pain more clearly at your next appointment.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Finding My Way Back - Mel’s Voice 27.08.2026 27min

  Today you are hearing from Mel. Mel lives with multiple sclerosis, and in this episode, she shares what the experience has looked like for her, particularly the first year after diagnosis, when so much about her life and her body suddenly felt uncertain. She talks about the fear and frustration that came with those early days, the changes that she had to adjust to, and the process of gradually finding her way forward. Mel also reflects on the things that have helped, the small wins that can mean so much when you're living with a chronic condition, and what it has taken to build a life alongside MS. There is so much in Mel's story that will feel familiar to anyone who has had to adjust to a body, a diagnosis, or a life that they didn't expect. This is Mel's voice.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Are We Allowed to Have Fun When We’re Chronically Ill? 24.08.2026 35min

  Can you be genuinely unwell and genuinely happy at the same time? Absolutely. But when you live with a chronic health condition, having fun can sometimes come with a surprising side order of guilt. Should you really be going out when you “should” be resting? Does a fantastic day somehow make your illness less real? And why can we feel like we need to look or behave sick to be believed?In this episode, we unpack the complicated relationship between chronic illness, pleasure, identity and guilt. We talk about the post-fun crash, making space for joy within the realities of your body, and why fun isn't frivolous — it's part of living a meaningful life.Because a good day doesn't cancel out your disability. And you don't have to earn the right to have fun.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Sacha’s story 20.08.2026 45min

  Today you are hearing from Sacha.In 2020, a workplace injury to her right hand and wrist set in motion a chain of events that would completely change her life.What initially seemed like it might be a simple fracture or sprain eventually led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS — a condition associated with severe and persistent pain.Over the years that followed, Sacha's life became filled with appointments, surgeries, nerve blocks, ketamine infusions and rehabilitation — all while trying to navigate a healthcare system that, at times, left her feeling anything but heard and understood.But as you'll hear, the hardest parts of Sacha's story aren't necessarily the medical ones.She speaks incredibly honestly about grieving the life she once knew, living with pain that other people can't see, and the heartbreak of feeling like she can't always be the mum she imagined she would be to her daughter, Ivy.Sacha's story is raw, honest and deeply human. It's about chronic pain, loss and adaptation, but also about what it means to feel genuinely seen and supported when life looks nothing like you thought it would.So, with that, let's hand it over to Sacha.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Re-Release - Slow It Down 17.08.2026 42min

  This week, we revisit this episode of But You Look So Good where Sally and Seona dive into the necessity and benefits of embracing slow living. They share personal stories and reflections on how living intentionally can help navigate a fast-paced world, especially while managing a chronic condition. From setting boundaries and reducing stress to practicing gratitude and mindful habits, this episode offers practical tips to help you slow down, reclaim your energy, and create a more fulfilling, balanced life.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Twenty and Everything Changed: Chloe’s Story 13.08.2026 26min

  Chloe was just twenty years old when almost overnight, the life she knew changed. She woke up one morning and the world was spinning. Her vision was blurred. Her body wasn't doing what she had asked it to. And suddenly, at an age when you're supposed to be figuring out who you are, Chloe was trying to figure out what was happening to her body. What followed were months of appointments, tests, and uncertainty before she finally got answers. Chloe's story isn't just about diagnosis. It's about what happens when chronic illness arrives right at the beginning of adulthood. How do you navigate friendships, relationships, independence, and everything your twenties are supposed to hold when your body has suddenly changed the rules? With plenty of honesty and humour along the way, this is Chloe's voice.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Overwhelmed much? 10.08.2026 36min

  It can feel like we're carrying far more than our own lives right now.There are wars unfolding across the world, political instability, economic uncertainty, the relentless cost of living, the rapid rise of AI changing the way we work and communicate, climate events, and a constant stream of breaking news designed to capture our attention.For people living with chronic illness, all of that lands on top of an already full nervous system.Today's episode is about recognising that feeling overwhelmed isn't a personal failing - it's often a very understandable response to living through extraordinarily uncertain times while managing the ongoing demands of chronic illness.As always, we'll mix psychology with lived experience and a few laughs along the way.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Having a child with a chronic health condition: An interview with Lainie 06.08.2026 32min

  Today's guest is someone who knows firsthand what it means to support a child living with a chronic illness. Lainey is a mum of two daughters, and one of them, Samara, has faced more medical challenges in her almost 13 years than most people experience in a lifetime.Born prematurely at 33 weeks with a complex heart condition, Samara's journey has included serious complications, multiple hospital admissions, life-saving treatment, and years of uncertainty. Alongside it all, Lainey has navigated the emotional reality of being not just a mum, but also an advocate, a carer, and the steady presence her family needed.In this conversation, we talk about the invisible weight of caring, the decisions no parent ever expects to make, and what it means to hold both fear and hope at the same time.Lainey shares her story with such honesty and warmth, and whether you're a parent, a carer, or simply someone who loves a person living with chronic illness, I think you'll find much that resonates.This is Lainey's story. We hope you enjoy.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Pathologising Normal 03.08.2026 35min

  Have you ever cried in a medical appointment and felt like your emotions became the diagnosis? Living with a chronic illness brings real loss, uncertainty, fear and grief—and those emotions are often a healthy response to a difficult reality. In this episode, we explore how both healthcare professionals and society can sometimes mistake normal human reactions for depression or anxiety, and why that matters. We discuss three common examples of emotional experiences being pathologized, the difference between understandable distress and mental illness, and why context is so important. We also talk about the other side of the conversation: when persistent or overwhelming emotions may signal that extra support is needed. It's an honest, compassionate discussion about validating emotions without dismissing the importance of mental health care.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Learning to Love Your Body Alongside Chronic Illness: An interview with Talia 31.07.2026 36min

  Today, you'll be hearing from Tahlia, whose health journey began when she was just 19 years old, after being diagnosed with cervical dystonia—a neurological condition that causes involuntary neck movements and chronic pain. But, as is so often the case with chronic illness, that was only the beginning. Over the years, Tahlia was also diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, severe POTS, and, most recently, a rare blood disorder. Each diagnosis brought its own wave of grief, uncertainty, and adjustment.What makes Tahlia's story so compelling isn't just what she's been through, it's how she's navigated it. She shares her journey from hiding her illnesses out of shame to openly speaking about chronic illness and disability online - something, as she'll tell you herself, she never could have imagined doing just five years ago.In this episode, we talk about internalised ableism, the grief that can accompany both expected and unexpected diagnoses, and what it really looks like to learn to love yourself - not in spite of your body, but alongside it.Dr Talia:Instagram: @drtaliaphd⁠⁠⁠LinksLivology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  All the Feelings. 27.07.2026 26min

  Living with a chronic illness isn't just physically exhausting—it can be emotionally confusing too. People often ask, "How are you?" and we answer, "Fine," because finding the words for what's really happening can feel impossible.In this episode, we explore why emotions become so complicated after diagnosis and throughout life with chronic illness. We introduce the Feelings Wheel—a simple but powerful tool that helps people move beyond broad emotions like "sad" or "stressed" to better understand what they're actually experiencing.We'll share our own experiences, discuss what the research tells us, and explain why being able to name emotions can actually improve emotional wellbeing, relationships, and coping.Go to https://www.butyoulooksogood.com.au/podcast-resources to download your free Feelings Wheel!⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  An Interview with Isabel: Living with Endometriosis 23.07.2026 43min

   Today's guest is Isabel, a woman who spent four years fighting to be believed before finally getting a diagnosis that explained everything. Isabelle lives with pelvic and thoracic endometriosis, a condition that wasn't just affecting her periods, but her ability to breathe, to move, and to show up in her own life. Like so many women, she was told that she was anxious. She was even told that she needed different shoes, that this was just part of being a woman. But Isabelle kept showing up. She kept advocating, kept educating the very doctors who were supposed to be educating her. Isabel's story is one of resilience and self-trust, but also about the exhausting reality of navigating a medical system that still has so, so much to learn about women's bodies. We hope you enjoy.
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  What’s with the Weather? 20.07.2026 34min

  Brrr, Melbourne! It is freezing down under, while our Northern Hemisphere friends are unseasonably melting. In this episode of But You Look So Good, we’re diving into the ways the weather crashes the chronic illness party. As two psychologists living with chronic illness, we know a shift in the forecast can mean a total shift in how we function.First, we tackle the cold front to unpack Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sharing evidence-based psychological hacks for when winter hits an already fatigued brain. Then, we flip the thermostat to discuss heat sensitivity and Uhthoff’s phenomenon, validating the psychological toll of "summer FOMO" and sharing tips to keep your nerves from short-circuiting. Grab a cool/hot drink and join us for some candid, relatable science!⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  An Interview with Tessa: Living with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia 16.07.2026 44min

   What if the doctor tells you there's nothing wrong, but you know that there is? What if you spend two years being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and left without answers, all while living in some of the most excruciating pain imaginable? That's exactly what today's guest, Tessa, experienced when she was eventually diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia, a rare and devastating nerve condition sometimes known as the suicide disease. Tessa is a psychologist who specialises in chronic illness, eating disorders, and disability, so she brings not only her clinical expertise to this work, but her own profound lived experience as someone navigating multiple invisible and dynamic disabilities. In today's episode, Tessa takes us through her long road to diagnosis, the reality of living with chronic-- the reality of living with constant chronic pain, and what it means to be both the provider and the patient. She shares the tools and boundaries that help her live well, the unique gifts and challenges of working in a space you've personally inhabited, and why finding your howl-at-the-moon person might be one of the most important things that you can do. We hope you enjoy this episode. ⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠
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  Can we all Benefit From Creativity, Even if We Are No Good at It? 13.07.2026 46min

  Living with a chronic illness can shrink your world. Medical appointments, symptoms, fatigue, and uncertainty can begin to define your days. But creativity offers something illness often takes away: choice, expression, purpose, and joy. In this episode, Sally and Seona explore their own creativity, as well as chat about the science behind art therapy and creative activities, why they improve mental health, and how anyone—regardless of artistic ability or physical limitations—can benefit. Whether you pick up a paintbrush, a crochet hook, or a camera, creativity isn't about producing masterpieces—it's about healing your mind while your hands are busy.
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  An Interview with Clara: Being a GP and a patient 09.07.2026 47min

  Today we're speaking with Clara, a GP from Scotland who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, just months after the birth of her first child.As a doctor, Clara had spent years recognising symptoms in other people. But when those symptoms appeared in her own body, she found every reason to explain them away. In fact, she admits she almost felt like she was humouring her neurologist by agreeing to the tests that would ultimately confirm her diagnosis.In this episode, we explore what happens when medical knowledge collides with denial, why Clara chose to keep her diagnosis private for six years, and how becoming a patient reshaped not only her understanding of healthcare but also the conversations she now has with the people sitting across from her in the consulting room.This is a thoughtful conversation about the complexity of being both the clinician and the patient and the assumptions we make about illness, even when we know better.⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠Webinars and Resources⁠If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit⁠ ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠⁠.⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠