Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson Moving Past Perfectionism and Unhealthy Striving with Dr. Diana Hill
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Nov 22, 2021 
Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist, joins hosts Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson to discuss moving past perfectionism and unhealthy striving. They explore the costs of perfectionism, productivity anxiety, psychological flexibility, and calming the threat system. They also provide practical tips for managing challenges, developing a broader perspective, and making incremental changes.
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Recovery Launched Her Work
- Dr. Diana Hill describes her recovery from anorexia as the event that launched her work on unhealthy striving and perfectionism.
- She frames anorexia as an extreme form of striving that destroyed her and redirected her toward clinical psychology.
Use A Red-Flag Checklist
- Notice red flags of unhealthy striving like exhaustion, rigid perfectionism, chronic dissatisfaction, and neglecting bodily needs.
- Use that checklist to spot your pattern early so you can choose a different path.
Striving Tracks Brain Systems
- Unhealthy striving maps onto the brain's threat and drive systems, producing contraction, rushing, and breath-holding.
- Healthy striving aligns with the contentment/compassion system and feels settled, embodied, and responsive to needs.