The Creative Condition podcast Ep 270: ANXIETY! Psychologist Wendy Dignan on taking control of our thoughts for creativity's sake
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Aug 6, 2025 Wendy Dignan, a leading UK psychologist and founder of Fearless Female, joins the conversation on managing anxiety. She explores the universal nature of anxiety and how it can hinder creativity. The discussion highlights actionable techniques to transform anxiety into something meaningful. Wendy also shares personal struggles and challenges misconceptions about anxiety. Listeners gain insights on coping strategies and the importance of community in fostering creativity and resilience in the face of uncertainty.
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Anxiety Is An Overactive Alarm
- Anxiety is an evolutionary alarm system that becomes problematic when hypersensitive and persistent.
- Wendy Dignan frames anxiety as protective but often overactive, not an incurable trait.
Sensitivity, Thinking Style And Upbringing
- High sensitivity and a tendency to overthink increase anxiety risk along with learned core beliefs from caregivers.
- Cultural messaging and early upbringing shape whether the world feels safe or threatening.
Start With Hope And Commitment
- Begin therapy with a small seed of hope and commit to practice interventions with your clinician.
- Accept that anxiety peaks and troughs but active work prevents it returning stronger later.
