Before we talk about overcoming perfectionism, let\u2019s start with what perfectionists<\/a> are, and what they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n A perfectionist is a person that sets extremely high standards for themselves<\/strong>. They want everything to be perfect. They associate their successes and failures with their identity. When a perfectionist realises they cannot live up to these impossible standards, they feel like a complete failure. Perfectionists will often procrastinate over a task<\/strong>. This is because they worry about not being able to complete it to perfection.<\/p>\n \u201cPerfectionism isn\u2019t a behaviour. It\u2019s a way of thinking about yourself.\u201d\u00a0Andrew Hill<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n On the other hand, a person that wants to do well will acknowledge their failures<\/strong>. They won’t feel bad if they make mistakes. They know that mistakes are all part of learning. Their attitude to success and failure will rest on whether they\u2019ve tried their very best. To them, that\u2019s what counts.<\/p>\n The problem the perfectionist has is that because they set such high goals and standards, they invariably fail. As a result, this affects their self-confidence and self-esteem<\/a><\/strong>. In addition, it can lead to a whole host of other psychological disorders.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are studies that suggest that the higher the perfectionism is, the more psychological disorders you\u2019re going to suffer.\u201d Sarah Egan –\u00a0 Curtin University, Perth<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For example, perfectionistic tendencies have been linked to a variety of clinical issues<\/strong>, these include:<\/p>\n So now we know what perfectionism is, how is it caused?<\/p>\n There are many factors that can have a contributory effect on perfectionism. Some start in childhood, and others can begin in late teens.<\/p>\n For instance:<\/p>\n The perfectionist\u2019s brain is in a constant state of stress and anxiety<\/strong> because it is having to live up to impossible goals and standards. This causes the brain to send signals to the amygdala<\/a>. This is our fight-or-flight centre. Stress levels rise in this area and cause hormones to flood our bloodstream.<\/p>\n These include adrenaline and cortisol. Too much adrenalin can raise blood pressure. Whereas high levels of cortisol can cause weight gain, problems thinking clearly, and depression. Not only that, but cortisol is also known to impair the brain\u2019s natural ability to repair itself.<\/p>\n In addition, in one study<\/a>, negative aspects of perfection were found to affect two regions of the brain<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Participants were asked to think about their particular obligations and tasks. Both of these areas of the brain showed an increase in grey matter. In addition, an increase in grey matter correlated with persistence. You associate persistence with hard work and overachievers. Perfectionists tend to be hardworking overachievers.<\/p>\n Not to mention that higher grey matter volume in the thalamus has been linked to Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD). Likewise, OCD<\/a> is a common trait amongst perfectionists. Whereas, on the other hand, those with OCD can also show perfectionist tendencies.<\/p>\n For those who strive to be a perfectionist, they employ a whole range of reasons or excuses to justify their behaviour.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n But why should we be so bothered about overcoming perfectionism? The problem is that perfectionism has strong links to depression and suicide<\/strong>. Perfectionism is unattainable. Because of this, many people believe they are not good enough. Notably students.<\/p>\n One shocking study<\/a> from 2007 revealed a tragic statistic. Of the 20 British students that had committed suicide, 11 of them admitted to placing \u2018exceedingly high\u2019 demands and expectations on themselves. These traits are typical of perfectionists.<\/p>\n There’s another problem with overcoming perfectionism. Perfectionists are the least likely group of people to ask for help<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The first problem with overcoming perfectionism is to realise that perfectionism is a problem in the first place<\/strong>. Having high standards is perfectly fine. We should all strive for excellence. But being a perfectionist is not healthy.<\/p>\n Your achievements do not define who you are<\/a> as a person. It is okay to make mistakes. View these mistakes as a chance to learn from them.<\/p>\nWhat is perfectionism?<\/h3>\n
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What causes perfectionism?<\/h3>\n
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Are perfectionist\u2019s brains different?<\/h4>\n
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Why overcoming perfectionism is so difficult<\/h3>\n
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Ways of overcoming perfectionism<\/h4>\n