Health anxiety after a brain aneurysm diagnosis is very understandable, but it can be managed. In this uplifting episode, Rebecca Middleton from Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support is joined by Kym Winter, a psychotherapist and founder/clinical director of Rareminds, to share practical ways to move from worry towards confidence, resilience and hope.

In this episode of Brain Aneurysms and Beyond, you’ll discover how to recognise anxiety early, understand why it shows up, and use practical tools to reduce its grip.

You’ll find out how to build psychological “muscles” for coping, use simple techniques to “park” unhelpful worry, and reframe spiralling thoughts before they take over. The conversation looks at real-world challenges too: making screening decisions with clearer heads, easing family tensions that can follow a diagnosis, and offering age-appropriate reassurance for children. You’ll also hear how community and peer support through HBA Support reduces isolation, connects you with people who understand, and points you towards trustworthy information when anxiety spikes.

Throughout, the emphasis is on hope and action. You’ll come away with practical ideas you can try today — from small self-care habits that calm the body, to mindset shifts that build long-term resilience. Whether you’re living with an aneurysm, supporting a loved one, or looking for reassurance about the future, this episode shows how anxiety can be acknowledged without letting it define the journey, and how support, knowledge and community can help you move forward with confidence.

Episode highlights:

[00:00] Intro with Rebecca Middleton from HBA Support [01:07] Rebecca's aneurysm journey [03:37] Help for overcoming fear in the early stages of diagnosis [04:15] Developing psychological muscles to cope with anxiety [06:40] Putting worry on the shelf [08:40] The importance of community: you're not alone [11:22] Coping with screening decisions [17:31] Navigating family tensions [24:55] Acknowledging health worries to move forward [27:08] Treating yourself! [29:45] Outro. Rebecca shares key resources and links for ongoing support

Featuring:

Rebecca Middleton (host) & Kym Winter (Rareminds).

Resources:

HBA Support: https://hbasupport.org

Rareminds: https://www.rareminds.org

This podcast is also available as a captioned video at youtube.com/@hbasupport

Podcast production & editing by Rob Birnie at Made by DBM: https://madebydbm.com

How do you get on with life after a brain aneurysm diagnosis or during recovery from treatment? In this episode, you’ll discover inspiring patient stories, expert medical guidance, and the vital role of UK charities in providing support, prevention, and hope.

A brain aneurysm diagnosis can bring fear and uncertainty, but it doesn’t have to mean losing your quality of life. With the right guidance, support, and knowledge, you can move forward with resilience. In this episode of Brain Aneurysms & Beyond, host Rebecca Middleton, a patient herself and the founder of HBA Support (Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support), introduces the discussion on what it truly means to live well after diagnosis.

Rebecca is joined by Fiona Moss, Director of The Natalie Kate Moss Trust, who shares her sister’s story and the charity’s mission to fund research and raise awareness about prevention. Fiona explains how her organisation works tirelessly to make a difference, investing in scientific innovation while helping families who face the same challenges her family experienced.

Bringing the clinical perspective, Cat Lamb, a Neurovascular Nurse Specialist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, offers insight into unruptured aneurysms, treatment decisions, and coping strategies for those navigating recovery. Cat explains the importance of informed choices, managing anxiety, and finding balance in everyday life after diagnosis or treatment.

Together, Rebecca, Fiona, and Cat discuss how community support, expert care, and innovative research are helping people not only survive but thrive. You’ll discover how UK charities are improving lives, how lived experiences provide reassurance, and how advances in treatment are offering fresh hope for the future. Whether you’re a patient, supporting a loved one, or simply keen to learn about brain health, this episode provides clear insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories to help you understand what it means to live well with a brain aneurysm.

Highlights

[0:00] Rebecca Middleton introduces the episode and HBA Support

[1:19] Fiona Moss on her sister Natalie’s death and creating The Natalie Kate Moss Trust

[2:59] Fiona Moss on funding early prevention research projects

[7:07] Cat Lamb on clinical care and managing unruptured aneurysms

[10:16] Frequently asked questions from patients

[15:15] Advice on lowering blood pressure

[25:26] Lifestyle guidance and resources from HBA Support

[28:26] Outro from Rebecca and links to helpful resources

Featuring

Rebecca Middleton – Host & Founder, HBA Support (Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support)

Fiona Moss – Director, The Natalie Kate Moss Trust

Cat Lamb – Neurovascular Nurse Specialist, John Radcliffe Hospital

Video

A captioned video version of this podcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/@hbasupport

Resources

HBA Support: https://www.hbasupport.org

The Natalie Kate Moss Trust: https://www.nataliekatemoss.co.uk

NHS Brain Aneurysm Guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/

Podcast production & editing by Rob Birnie @ Made by DBM: https://madebydbm.com