The desire for perfectionism

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The desire for perfectionism is characterized by a constant pursuit of excellence, often accompanied by perpetual dissatisfaction with one's achievements.

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The desire for perfectionism is characterized by a constant pursuit of excellence, often accompanied by perpetual dissatisfaction with one’s achievements[1]. This personality trait can be both a driver of success and a source of distress, depending on its form[1:1].

Perfectionism can be divided into three main types: self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed[2]. Self-oriented perfectionism involves setting extremely high standards for oneself, while other-oriented perfectionism refers to demanding perfection from others. Socially prescribed perfectionism reflects the belief that others expect one to be perfect[2:1].

Perfectionist concerns—such as excessive worry about making mistakes or failing to meet high standards—are more strongly linked to symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression[3]. Research indicates that these concerns can be a risk factor for the development of psychopathology in young people[3:1].

Perfectionism can also have negative consequences on mental health, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout[2:2]. It may also impair interpersonal relationships, as perfectionists often impose the same high expectations on others that they impose on themselves[1:2].

Ultimately, the desire for perfection can become a trap, leading to an overemphasis on performance, pride in self-control, or rigid moralism[4]. Therefore, it is important to recognize the limits of perfectionism and understand when it becomes counterproductive[1:3].

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/perfectionism ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-perfectionism-2795032 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886921002648 ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/perfectionism/art-20045157 ↩︎