27-March-2023

The High Cost of Perfectionism - Understanding its Psychological Impact

The personality trait of perfectionism is characterized by an unwavering pursuit of flawlessness and an intense yearning to reach the highest of standards. It is a double-edged sword, viewed by some as a positive attribute, while others consider it a negative one.

Three distinct types of perfectionism exist: self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed. Self-oriented perfectionists hold themselves to relentless standards of excellence, ceaselessly seeking perfection in all their undertakings. Their personal standards are exceedingly high, and they harshly criticize themselves when they fall short of their expectations. Conversely, other-oriented perfectionists place the same lofty standards on those around them, expecting them to measure up to their exacting standards. When others fail to meet their expectations, they are exceptionally critical of them. Socially prescribed perfectionists experience external pressure from their surroundings, such as their parents or society, to meet unattainable standards of excellence. They feel like they can never measure up, regardless of how hard they try.

Perfectionism can prove both advantageous and detrimental. It can serve as a motivational impetus, driving individuals to accomplish their aspirations and push themselves to attain their best. Nevertheless, it can also lead to a gamut of adverse consequences, including augmented levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

The negative consequences of perfectionism,

Anxiety is a pervasive outcome of perfectionism, as those who aspire for perfection often experience an incessant sense of pressure to meet their lofty standards. This can give rise to feelings of apprehension, trepidation, and agitation, along with physiological symptoms like perspiration, tremors, and palpitations of the heart.

Depression is yet another possible ramification of perfectionism. When individuals who aspire for perfection fall short of their own exceedingly high standards, they may encounter a sense of bleakness and despondency. They may also encounter feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, which can contribute to the inception of depressive symptoms.

Low self-esteem is also a common occurrence among perfectionists. When individuals establish impractical benchmarks for themselves and cannot achieve them, they may begin to question their abilities and feel as though they are not competent enough. This can lead to a negative self-image and a dearth of confidence, which can profoundly impact various facets of their lives.

The link between perfectionism and procrastination.

The relationship between perfectionism and procrastination is complex and multifaceted. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the pursuit of perfection can actually lead to procrastination and delay.

Perfectionists are known to set exceptionally high standards for themselves and may feel that they cannot start a task until they have a clear and flawless plan in place. They may also feel that they need the perfect working environment or mood to commence a task. As a result, they may procrastinate and wait for the perfect conditions to arise before beginning a task.

Another factor that contributes to procrastination among perfectionists is the fear of failure. Perfectionists often have a profound fear of making mistakes or falling short of their own high standards. This fear can be so overpowering that they may avoid starting a task altogether to evade the possibility of failure.

Perfectionism-related procrastination can have significant drawbacks, including missed deadlines, increased stress, and feelings of frustration and disappointment. To overcome this, there are strategies that can help break the cycle of procrastination. One approach is to focus on progress rather than perfection, breaking a task down into smaller, more achievable steps and celebrating each milestone achieved.

The relationship between perfectionism and imposter syndrome

Perfectionism and imposter syndrome, two interrelated psychological phenomena, can substantially impact an individual's sense of self-worth and self-confidence. The desire to achieve flawless performance characterizes perfectionism, whereas imposter syndrome denotes a feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt, even in the presence of evidence of one's competence and accomplishments.

Given that perfectionist often establish extremely high standards for themselves, they are more prone to experiencing imposter syndrome. Such a tendency can give rise to a sense of self-doubt, leading to a fear of being exposed as a fraud or an imposter. Furthermore, perfectionists may minimize their own accomplishments or assign credit for their achievements to external factors, rather than recognizing their own efforts and abilities.

The benefits of embracing imperfection and self-compassion

The notion of embracing imperfection and cultivating self-compassion has gained considerable traction in recent years due to its potential to yield a plethora of positive outcomes for our mental health and overall well-being. Rather than fixating on the unattainable standard of perfection and engaging in harsh self-criticism when we inevitably fall short, the practice of embracing imperfection involves recognizing and accepting our inherent flaws, mistakes, and limitations as an integral component of the human experience.

By accepting our imperfections, we can relinquish the constant pressure to be perfect, subsequently reducing feelings of anxiety and self-doubt that may have otherwise been perpetuated by our pursuit of an unrealistic ideal. Instead, by adopting a growth mindset, we can focus on learning from our mistakes and identifying areas where we can improve and grow.

Concurrently, cultivating self-compassion involves extending to ourselves the same level of kindness and understanding that we would offer to a loved one. Through acknowledging our struggles and challenges without casting judgment, we can provide ourselves with much-needed support and encouragement during times of difficulty, effectively enhancing our resilience and self-confidence, while mitigating feelings of shame and self-criticism.

The different therapeutic approaches to treating perfectionism

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), one of the most widely used therapeutic approaches for treating perfectionism, operates on the premise of identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviours that fuel perfectionism. This comprehensive therapy employs an array of techniques such as cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioural activation to assist individuals in addressing the root causes of their perfectionism and developing more adaptive coping strategies.

In contrast, acceptance, and commitment therapy (ACT) takes a more holistic approach that emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness and self-compassion, as well as the acceptance of internal experiences, including thoughts, feelings, and sensations. With techniques such as mindfulness meditation, values clarification, and diffusion, ACT aims to help individuals develop a more compassionate and accepting attitude towards themselves, thereby reducing the negative impact of perfectionism on their mental health.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), yet another effective therapeutic approach for treating perfectionism, places an emphasis on balancing acceptance and change. DBT includes a variety of mindfulness techniques, emotion regulation skills training, and distress tolerance training to promote emotional regulation and help individuals develop the capacity to tolerate distressing emotions and situations without resorting to perfectionistic coping mechanisms.

The relationship between perfectionism and achievement

The pursuit of perfectionism is often associated with the attainment of high achievement, as those who ardently pursue perfection may be motivated to perform at their utmost potential, ultimately resulting in great success. However, research has indicated a potentially negative relationship between perfectionism and achievement, as the unrelenting pursuit of perfection can precipitate burnout, anxiety, and decreased performance.

In contrast, striving for excellence involves setting high standards for oneself while concurrently recognizing that making mistakes and having imperfections is an inherent and integral part of the learning process. This approach accentuates growth and development, rather than the attainment of perfection, and can lead to a greater sense of contentment and accomplishment over the long haul.

It is crucial to understand that striving for excellence and striving for perfection are not equivalent. Striving for excellence involves healthy aspirations, or setting ambitious but reachable goals and working towards them in a constructive and positive manner. Conversely, striving for perfection involves setting unrealistic and unattainable standards, and may involve harsh self-criticism and an overwhelming fear of failure.