Is Perfectionism A Mental Illness?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Perfectionism is considered a personality trait

and is not considered a personality disorder of its own however perfectionism is a trait often seen in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder which is similar to OCD except that the individual is fully supportive of this behavior; identical to individuals who are …

Is perfectionism a mental health issue?

The rise in perfectionism is especially troubling because it

has been linked to an array of mental health issues

— a meta-analysis of 284 studies found that high levels of perfectionism were correlated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, deliberate self-harm and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Is perfectionism a form of anxiety?

As Melissa Dahl of New York Magazineelegantly writes, “Perfectionism is more than pushing yourself to do your best to achieve a goal;

it’s a reflection of an inner self mired in anxiety

.” This anxiety may take the form of any number of disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Obsessive …

Is perfectionism a form of OCD?

Obsessions often seen with “perfectionism” as a form of OCD include: An

overwhelming fear of making mistakes

; an intense need for things to be “perfect” or “done right” – may or may not be accompanied by a fear that harm will come to oneself or others if things are not done perfectly.

What is the root cause of perfectionism?

The root of perfectionism is

believing your self-worth is based onyour achievements

. Perfectionism is often present when somecombination of these factors exist: Rigid, high parental expectations. Highly critical, shaming, or abusive parents.

What does God say about perfectionism?

Romans 15:7

Christ accepts you as is, flaws and all.

He doesn’t require your perfection, because he is the only one who can be completely without sin

. His acceptance of you can help you accept others with their flaws as well. Need more help in overcoming perfectionism?

What are the signs of a perfectionist?

  • feel like you fail at everything you try.
  • procrastinate regularly — you might resist starting a task because you’re afraid that you’ll be unable to complete it perfectly.
  • struggle to relax and share your thoughts and feelings.

Are perfectionists happy?

Perfectionists are

much less happy and easygoing

than high achievers. While high achievers are able to bounce back fairly easily from disappointment, perfectionists tend to beat themselves up much more and wallow in negative feelings when their high expectations go unmet.

How does perfectionism ruin your life?

Toxic perfectionism can fill you with depression, anxiety, anger, insomnia, and OCD tendencies. These impossible high standards will eat away at you. Perfectionism can be good, but toxic perfectionism

can slowly ruin your quality of life

and affect relationships that are near and dear to you.

Are perfectionists narcissists?

The type of perfectionist who sets impossibly high standards for others has a bit of a dark side. They

tend to be narcissistic

, antisocial and to have an aggressive sense of humor. They care little about social norms and do not readily fit into the bigger social picture.

What are perfectionists afraid of?

Perfectionists tend to anticipate or

fear disapproval and rejection from those around them

. Given such fear, perfectionists may react defensively to criticism and in doing so frustrate and alienate others.

Why do I freak out when things aren’t perfect?

Perfectionism and Panic Disorder

Perfectionism is usually the result of trying

to live up to an internal ideal

, but it can also be motivated by fear, such as worrying about how others perceive you.

Are perfectionists insecure?

Perfectionists are

often insecure

and anxious about falling short of their own standards—as a result, they constantly live in fear of private shame and public humiliation.

Are perfectionists controlling?

Controlling perfectionists are also

miserly, stubborn and rigid

in their worldview. They tend to lack empathy for others. Therefore, they have difficulty putting themselves in another’s shoes or seeing things from their perspective.

What does relationship OCD feel like?

People with rOCD may experience

intrusive thoughts, fears, and anxiety

about whether their partner is right for them, whether they are attracted to their partner or their partner is attracted to them, and intense doubt regarding whether they need to end their relationship.

How do you deal with just right OCD?

The best course of treatment for Just Right OCD, like all types of OCD, is

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy

. ERP is considered the gold standard for OCD treatment and has been found 90% effective. The majority of patients experience results within 12 – 25 sessions.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.