Mental Health Friday 2024-03-15
On Mental Health Friday, we post, in alphabetical order, one per week, information on mental health disorders. Mental Health Friday is for informational purposes only, and is in no way meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Please do not self diagnose and seek professional help for what ails you.
Link: FindTreatment.gov is an online source of information for persons seeking substance use and/or mental health treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories.
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Perfectionism
Editorial Team
Perfectionism is a personality trait or a set of beliefs and behaviors characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high standards for oneself, often accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns about others’ evaluations. It manifests in various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal endeavors. While having high standards and aiming for excellence can be positive traits, perfectionism can become problematic when it becomes rigid, unrealistic, and leads to distress or impairment in functioning.
Here are the key aspects of perfectionism:
- High Standards: Perfectionists set extremely high standards for themselves, often beyond what is realistically achievable. They believe that anything less than perfection is unacceptable.
- Fear of Failure: Perfectionists often have an intense fear of failure or making mistakes. They may equate mistakes with personal inadequacy or incompetence, leading to anxiety and avoidance of challenging tasks.
- Procrastination: Paradoxically, perfectionists may procrastinate or avoid tasks altogether because they fear not being able to complete them perfectly. This procrastination can be a way to protect themselves from potential failure or criticism.
- Black-and-White Thinking: Perfectionists tend to see things in extremes, viewing outcomes as either perfect or total failures. They struggle with finding a middle ground and often discount any achievements that fall short of their impossibly high standards.
- Overemphasis on External Validation: Perfectionists often base their self-worth on external validation, such as praise from others or achievements. They may constantly seek approval and validation from others to validate their sense of worthiness.
- Self-Criticism: Perfectionists are highly self-critical and unforgiving of their mistakes or perceived shortcomings. They may engage in negative self-talk and have an inner voice that constantly berates them for not meeting their standards.
- Impact on Relationships: Perfectionism can impact relationships negatively. Perfectionists may have unrealistically high expectations of others, leading to frustration and disappointment when others fail to meet these standards. They may also struggle with intimacy and vulnerability, fearing that others will judge them harshly if they reveal their imperfections.
- Psychological Distress: Perfectionism is often associated with psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The constant pressure to be perfect can take a toll on one’s mental health and well-being.
- Impaired Performance: While perfectionists strive for excellence, their pursuit of perfection can actually impair their performance. The fear of failure and the need for everything to be flawless can lead to paralysis, indecision, and ultimately, underachievement.
- Physical Health Implications: Chronic perfectionism can also have physical health implications, such as increased stress levels, sleep disturbances, and even cardiovascular problems.
It’s important to note that perfectionism exists on a spectrum, and not all perfectionistic traits are necessarily harmful. In fact, some degree of perfectionism can be adaptive and lead to high achievement. However, when perfectionism becomes rigid, all-encompassing, and detrimental to one’s well-being and functioning, it may be helpful to seek support from a therapist or counselor to develop more adaptive coping strategies and challenge maladaptive perfectionistic beliefs.