31. Allowing Imperfection with Bonnie Robson, MD

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Bonnie Robson, a psychiatrist and dance medicine specialist, discusses perfectionism and its impact on dancers and artists. She explains the difference between positive and negative perfectionism and the 'I should' syndrome, offering techniques to combat negative self-talk. The conversation connects perfectionism with stress, anxiety, and related mental health issues like eating disorders and social anxiety. Additionally, the dialogue touches on the connection between perfectionism, competition, and decreased creativity. The episode also highlights the context of hypermobility and related conditions, noting the increased risk of anxiety associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and discusses ways for parents to recognize stress and anxiety in young dancers. The discussion aims to provide insights into managing perfectionism and its associated stressors effectively.