Research has linked perfectionism to a variety of mental health problems, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and several eating disorders. Perfectionism thus appears to take a toll on one’s mental wellness.
Table of Contents
How do perfectionists deal with anxiety?
a) Realistic thinking Because adults with perfectionism are often very critical of themselves, one of the most effective ways to overcome perfectionism is to replace self-critical or perfectionistic thoughts with more realistic and helpful statements. It is a good idea to practise these helpful statements regularly.
How can perfectionism lead to stress?
Perfectionism strengthens negative thought patterns
And if you’re a perfectionist, these are the types of thoughts that are likely to be floating around in your mind on a regular basis. So, perfectionism can lead to negative thoughts which can strengthen those negative thoughts, which can then cause stress and anxiety.
What can perfectionism lead to?
Perfectionism can make you feel unhappy with your life. It can lead to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm. Eventually, it can also lead you to stop trying to succeed. Even mild cases can interfere with your quality of life, affecting your personal relationships, education, or work.
How does perfectionism affect mental health?
In more than 20 years of research, he and his colleagues–particularly psychologist Gordon Flett, PhD–have found that perfectionism correlates with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health problems.
How does perfectionism change behavior?
How to Overcome Perfectionism 1- Become More Aware of Your Tendencies. 2- Focus on the Positives. 3- Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes. 4- Set More Reasonable Goals. 5- Learn How to Receive Criticism. 6- Lower the Pressure You Put on Yourself. 7- Focus on Meaning Over Perfection. 8- Try Not to Procrastinate.
What are the signs of perfectionism?
The most common signs include: You’re a Perfectionist in All Things. It’s one thing to want to be perfect in your profession. You’re an All or Nothing Person. You Crave Approval. Feedback Makes You Defensive. You’re Highly Critical of Others. You’re a Big Procrastinator. You’re Full of Guilt.
How does perfectionism hold you back?
It creates a constant feeling of never being good enough, due to holding yourself to impossible standards assuming that others do too. Seeing as perfection is impossible, this then leads to intense feelings of anxiety, stress, unworthiness, and general unhappiness.
Is perfectionism a response to trauma?
When PTSD stems from prolonged trauma, perfectionism often becomes a coping mechanism. For some, having lived in an environment where every action was monitored and dictated by an abuser, perfectionism stems from the need to take control of at least one aspect of life.
What happens when perfectionists fail?
Perfectionistic tendencies have been linked to a laundry list of clinical issues: depression and anxiety (even in children), self-harm, social anxiety disorde obsessive-compulsive disorder, binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, .