In a strikingly honest and moving revelation, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, the literary hero to millions of children, has shared the intimate details of her lifelong struggle with anxiety.
The 78-year-old author, whose books like The Story of Tracy Beaker have comforted generations of young readers, explained that her own nervous disposition began in childhood and has been a constant companion throughout her illustrious career.
A Lifelong Companion
"I've always been an anxious person," Dame Jacqueline confessed. "I was an anxious little girl, I was an anxious young woman, and I'm an anxious old woman." She described a specific, modern trigger for her unease: the ping of a text message notification, which she finds particularly jarring.
Rather than let it control her, the celebrated writer has developed a simple yet effective coping mechanism. "If I get a text, I just look at it and think, 'I'll look at that in a minute.' It's a way of managing the immediate panic," she shared.
Channelling Experience Into Fiction
This profound self-awareness of her mental state has not been a barrier to her creativity; rather, it has fuelled it. Dame Jacqueline believes her understanding of anxiety allows her to create more authentic, relatable, and resilient characters.
"I think if you've been a fairly anxious person, you do look at the world in a slightly different way," she mused. "You notice things that perhaps more confident, bustling people might not see." This heightened perception, she suggests, is a key tool in her writing process, enabling her to capture the nuanced emotions of childhood.
From Personal Struggle to Universal Comfort
Dame Jacqueline's candid discussion shines a light on the often-hidden challenges faced by public figures and creatives. By speaking openly, she continues her unofficial role as a reassuring figure, not just through her fictional stories but now through her personal narrative.
Her honesty provides immense comfort to both adults who grew up with her books and the children who read them today, normalising conversations around mental wellbeing and demonstrating that success and anxiety can coexist.
The author's resilience and her ability to transform personal challenge into a source of strength and empathy is a powerful testament to her character, both on and off the page.
