The Nutters Club

From Psych Ward to Prime Time: Actress Turns Trauma Into Powerful TV Drama

A New Zealand actress is using her personal story of addiction, mental illness and recovery to spark national conversations about stigma and healing, following the release of a new television series inspired by her life. Speaking onThe Nutters Club, actress and writer Holly Shervey detailed how her series Crackhead draws heavily on her own experiences, including being admitted to a psychiatric facility at just 20 years old after years of substance use, disordered eating and deteriorating mental health. Shervey, who grew up in Queenstown after being born in Australia, described a turbulent childhood marked by the death of her mother from cancer when she was six. The loss, she said, triggered early anxiety and shaped her identity as “the girl whose mum had died,” a label that followed her through school. As a teenager, she struggled with body image and turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. What began as social behaviour escalated into more harmful patterns after leaving school, culminating in an ecstasy binge, a suicide attempt, and a growing sense of losing control. Attempts to reset her life by moving cities and seeking therapy proved unsuccessful at the time. “I wasn’t in a space where I could do the work,” she said, reflecting on early treatment efforts. Her eventual admission into psychiatric care marked a turning point, though not an easy one. Shervey described the three-month stay as both traumatic and transformative, exposing her to a wide range of mental health conditions while equipping her with basic coping tools. However, reintegrating into everyday life proved challenging. She recalled feeling isolated and ashamed, struggling to rebuild a sense of normalcy while her peers moved forward with university and careers. Progress came slowly, often measured in small victories such as getting through a day without relapsing into harmful behaviours. A major shift occurred when Shervey discovered acting, which she described as providing purpose and structure. “Instead of living for the weekend, I was living for auditions and productions,” she said. Her recovery was further strengthened by her relationship with her husband, whom she credits with helping her confront long-held shame. His acceptance, even after learning about her psychiatric history, was a pivotal moment in her journey toward self-acceptance. Now, through Crackhead, Shervey is sharing her story publicly in the hope of reducing stigma and encouraging others to seek help. She says the response has been overwhelmingly relatable, highlighting how widespread mental health struggles are. Callers and texts to the show echoed that sentiment, reinforcing that recovery is often non-linear but possible, and that finding purpose, even in small steps, can be key to rebuilding a life. Click here to watch Crackhead for free on Three Now. [https://www.threenow.co.nz/shows/crackhead/1770578150021] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

How mind set turned Parkinson’s diagnosis into epic walking journey

A New Zealand woman diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease has transformed a life-changing diagnosis into a remarkable journey of endurance, perspective and purpose, undertaking thousands of kilometres of long-distance walking across Europe. Jennifer Andrewes, originally from Dunedin, first noticed symptoms more than a decade ago, when an unexplained tremor began affecting her ability to perform in public. Initially dismissed as nerves or anxiety, the condition gradually worsened, impacting her confidence before she sought medical advice. After years of uncertainty, Andrewes was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s by a neurologist, a moment she describes as confronting but not entirely surprising. Rather than focusing on the limitations of the condition, she adopted a pragmatic mindset, choosing to “keep on keeping on” and continue living life as fully as possible. Her response to the diagnosis led to a significant shift in priorities. Andrewes reduced her workload and focused more on activities that brought her joy and supported her wellbeing, particularly walking. Research and global connections with others living with Parkinson’s reinforced the benefits of movement and lifestyle changes in managing symptoms. What began as a practical way to manage her condition soon evolved into something far more ambitious. In 2022, Andrewes completed an 800-kilometre walk across France. Building on that achievement, she later undertook an even more demanding journey, walking more than 2,400 kilometres from Canterbury in the United Kingdom to Rome over nearly 100 days. She says the experience not only improved her physical condition but also highlighted the mental and emotional benefits of sustained movement, routine and immersion in nature. “I don’t experience Parkinson’s in the same way when I’m walking long distances,” she said, noting the positive impact on both body and mind. Andrewes has since documented her journey in a book, The Only Way Is Up, is aiming to challenge common perceptions of Parkinson’s as solely an “older person’s disease” and to offer hope to others facing similar diagnoses. Her story underscores a broader message about resilience and mindset. Rather than allowing a diagnosis to define her future, Andrewes has chosen to reshape the narrative, focusing on what is still possible, rather than what may lie ahead. The Only Way Is Up, on foot to Rome is available at https://myparallellives.com [https://myparallellives.com/] For more information as well as support services for Parkinsons visit https://www.parkinsons.org.nz/ [https://www.parkinsons.org.nz/]   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

From Chaos to Clarity: A Lifetime Battle with Addiction and the Road to Recovery

Hosted by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald alongside addiction specialist Suzy Morrison, this weeks episode of The Nutters Club explored how early life experiences can shape later struggles. Andrea recounted a childhood marked by instability, frequent moves, and shifting family dynamics, attending 13 different primary schools. While she developed humour as a coping mechanism and found some stability in her teenage years, tensions at home and disrupted opportunities contributed to a growing sense of dislocation. Her substance use began early, with alcohol becoming a central part of her life by her mid-teens. What started as social drinking quickly escalated into habitual use, often to blackout. As Andrea entered adulthood, she pursued creative ambitions in theatre, moving between New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. Despite periods of professional success including joining a theatre company and later studying mime in Paris, addiction increasingly took hold. Her time overseas was marked by heavy alcohol use, cannabis, and eventually heroin addiction, which she described as an immediate and powerful dependency. While she achieved milestones, including performing and travelling, substance use undermined her stability and derailed opportunities. A traumatic assault in her late teens further compounded her reliance on drugs and alcohol. Andrea’s addiction persisted into her 30s, even as she became a mother. She described years of functioning addiction, maintaining aspects of daily life while drinking heavily and using substances intermittently. It was not until her late 30s and early 40s, after repeated warnings from others and mounting personal consequences, that she began to recognise the severity of her situation. Her turning point came when her family threatened to remove her son from her care. This moment, combined with seeing her former partner successfully in recovery, prompted her to seek help. Andrea entered detox and committed to a four-and-a-half-month rehabilitation programme, describing the experience as both confronting and transformative. Post-rehabilitation challenges included shifting addictive behaviours, including gambling, highlighting the persistent nature of addiction. However, sustained recovery was achieved through ongoing support systems, particularly 12-step programmes and community connection. Now nearly 30 years sober, Andrea describes her life as “beyond my wildest dreams,” with a repaired relationship with her son and a successful career behind her. Her story underscores a key message that while addiction can be enduring and multifaceted, recovery is possible with support, commitment, and connection. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Turning the Tide: How to change your mental health from panic to purpose

A deeply personal account of anxiety, loss and recovery took centre stage on this week’s The Nutters Club, as guest Cam Madsen shared his journey from a carefree coastal upbringing to confronting severe mental health challenges. Raised in the tight-knit beach community of Waihi Beach, Madsen described an upbringing that many would consider idyllic filled with surfing, rugby, music and strong family ties. Yet beneath the surface he struggled to find direction in early adulthood, drifting between jobs in mining, seasonal work, and overseas shipping roles while grappling with an emerging sense of unease. That unease eventually escalated into heavy drinking and smoking, which he now recognises as attempts to mask deeper emotional struggles. Around his early twenties, Madsen hit what he describes as “rock bottom,” experiencing intense anxiety and repeated panic attacks that left him feeling overwhelmed and confused. “I didn’t even know what it was,” he said of his first panic attack. “I thought it was something you only saw in movies.” The turning point came when friends, recognising something was wrong, drove hours to his location support him. That act of care proved pivotal, reinforcing that he was not alone despite the “voice” in his head telling him otherwise. Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, explained that such experiences are not uncommon. Prolonged periods of substance use, lack of rest and emotional avoidance can trigger the body’s “alarm system,” resulting in anxiety and panic attacks. Madsen’s story is also marked by tragedy. He spoke candidly about losing close friends to suicide, a reality he says is all too common among young New Zealand men. Their deaths, combined with his own struggles, forced him to confront difficult questions about purpose and identity. Recovery, he said, was gradual rather than immediate. Returning home, reconnecting with the ocean and adopting healthier daily habits, including exercise and reducing alcohol, helped stabilise his mental health. Over time, his priorities shifted toward family life, embracing his role as a father and husband. Now, Madsen is channelling his experience into action. He plans to undertake a challenging 30 kilometre stand-up paddleboard journey off Waihi Beach over Easter weekend to raise awareness for mental health. Beyond the event, he hopes to establish informal community spaces where people can talk openly. “I’m not a counsellor,” he said. “But sometimes just having someone listen is enough.” His message is simple but powerful: check in on others, act on instinct when someone doesn’t seem okay, and remember that small gestures of care can make a significant difference. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

How anxiety can escalate into panic, and why it’s treatable

This weeks episode of The Nutters Club, explored how everyday anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, and why understanding the process is key to recovery. The episode focused on panic attacks, intense physical episodes that can include sweating, racing heart, dizziness, and overwhelming fear. Williams shared his own experience with panic triggered by heights, recalling a frightening moment while visiting the top of the Statue of Liberty. Even recalling the memory, he said, can still trigger physical sensations such as sweaty palms. Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explained that panic attacks often arise when natural fear responses become amplified. “Almost everything we get anxious about is understandable,” McDonald said. “The problem isn’t that we feel frightened it’s that the volume gets turned up too high.” According to MacDonald, panic attacks often follow a cycle known as “fear of fear”. An initial anxiety response triggers physical symptoms, such as rapid breathing or a racing heart, which can then cause people to become frightened of the sensations themselves. This escalating loop can lead to a full panic attack. Because the physical symptoms mimic serious medical conditions, many people experiencing their first panic attack believe they are having a heart attack. The programme featured calls from listeners sharing their own experiences with anxiety. One caller described feeling overwhelmed while caring for his parents through serious illness and navigating major life changes. Another listener spoke about how panic attacks can strike unexpectedly in everyday situations, such as shopping in a supermarket. MacDonald emphasised that while anxiety disorders can feel debilitating, they are highly treatable. Short-term relief can sometimes come through medication, though some medications carry risks of dependency. However, psychological treatments, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, are widely recognised as effective in helping people understand and manage anxiety responses. Avoidance, MacDonald noted, is often what allows anxiety to grow. “When people start avoiding the situations that trigger anxiety, their world can shrink very quickly,” he said. “The key is learning to tolerate the anxiety long enough to discover that it will pass.” The programme also highlighted support services available in New Zealand, including the free 1737 Need to Talk mental health helpline, which offers 24-hour phone and text counselling. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.