How Do Other People Do This?

Elizabeth Katie
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

Meant to be an examination of the smallest bits of our life that get affected by mental health conditions, "How Do Other People Do This?", explores the everyday realities of navigating life with these (often) invisible disorders. Each episode shed light on a different condition, while guests offer personal insights, practical tips, and unique coping skills intended to help others. While many podcasts offer wide overviews of experiences or therapists and scientists that provide the clinical perspective, each episode of this podcast features a real in-depth discussion of how our every day routines get upended, along with the creative coping skills you won't hear anywhere else.

Episodes

  1. Episode 1 - Trichotillomania & Tuning Forks

    May 29

    Episode 1 - Trichotillomania & Tuning Forks

    Samantha on Trichotillomania, BFRBs, & Learning to Sit With the Urge Today’s episode is a very special one for a number of reasons. Samantha is not only a conflict resolution expert, mediator, volunteer organizer, and all-around incredible human being, she also happens to be my sister. In this episode, Sam talks openly about her 20+ year journey with trichotillomania, a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) that causes compulsive hair pulling. Together, we unpack what BFRBs actually are, how they differ from everyday habits like nail biting or skin picking, and what it means to live with a condition that can feel both invisible and incredibly visible at the same time. We talk about: What trichotillomania and BFRBs actually areThe overlap between BFRBs, anxiety, and OCDThe role genetics may play in these disordersShame, visibility, and self-esteemWhy awareness matters more than “just stopping”Meditation, mindfulness, and why traditional advice doesn’t always help in the momentSomatic therapy, tuning forks, and the surprising role vibration might play in regulationSupport groups and the importance of being understood without explanationThe practical reality of coping: fidget toys, crafts, makeup routines, sleeping positions, and tiny systems that make daily life manageableOne of the things I loved most about this conversation is how honest it is. Sam is incredibly pragmatic, deeply self-aware, and very funny, which means this episode moves between insight, science, sibling banter, and absolute chaos in the best possible way. There’s also something really important underneath this conversation, the idea that mental health isn’t just about “fixing” ourselves. Sometimes it’s about learning how our bodies communicate with us (it's trying to tell us something!), learning to recognize patterns, and building systems that help us move through life a little more gently. If you deal with OCD, anxiety, BFRBs, or honestly just being a human person trying to figure out how to function in the world, I think there’s something in this episode for you. And if you’ve ever wondered how other people do this, this episode is exactly why this podcast exists. Thank you for listening to our very first episode. Truly. Resources mentioned: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)Somatic TherapyBFRB Support GroupsHabitAware wearable braceletsNAC (N-acetyl cysteine)And remember, you are absolutely stronger than you think.

    37 min
  2. Welcome Episode

    May 22

    Welcome Episode

    Episode 0: Why This Podcast Exists Welcome to How Do Other People Do This? In this introductory episode, host Elizabeth Katie shares the deeply personal story behind the podcast, from growing up with anxiety and ADHD to navigating severe OCD, trauma therapy, medication changes, and the difficult reality of trying to function during mental health struggles. After reaching a particularly low point and searching for practical, real-world coping advice that felt honest and relatable, Elizabeth realized the resource she needed didn’t really exist. This podcast was born from that gap. Rather than focusing only on clinical information or broad wellness advice, How Do Other People Do This? explores the everyday realities of living with mental health conditions and neurodivergence. Each episode features real people sharing the small but meaningful tips, routines, coping mechanisms, and survival strategies that help them navigate daily life. Future episodes will feature conversations about trichotillomania, OCD, ADHD, depression, and more, with an emphasis on honesty, humor, community, and the everyday tools that make life a little easier. If you’ve ever wondered how other people manage the things that feel impossible, this podcast is for you. Tune in and follow to join the conversation.

    10 min
  • 2 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Meant to be an examination of the smallest bits of our life that get affected by mental health conditions, "How Do Other People Do This?", explores the everyday realities of navigating life with these (often) invisible disorders. Each episode shed light on a different condition, while guests offer personal insights, practical tips, and unique coping skills intended to help others. While many podcasts offer wide overviews of experiences or therapists and scientists that provide the clinical perspective, each episode of this podcast features a real in-depth discussion of how our every day routines get upended, along with the creative coping skills you won't hear anywhere else.

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