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/

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