The Psychological Effects of Perfectionism
How Trying to be Perfect Increases Depression, Anxiety, and Bulimia
May 13, 2009
Perfectionism can lead to psychological disorders such as extreme anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Here’s the latest information on the effects of trying to be perfect, from Tal Ben-Shahar’s latest book, The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start Living a Richer, Happier Life (McGraw-Hill, 2009).
Perfectionism and Anxiety
“Perfectionism not only causes anxiety disorders but can itself be understood as a form of anxiety disorder – failure anxiety,” writes Ben-Shahar in The Pursuit of Perfect. He explains that almost every situation has the potential for disaster. Perfectionists see even minor failures as catastrophes, and worry excessively about not succeeding.
Perfectionists have a rigid and inflexible mind-set, which leads to both anxiety and depression. They’re less able to cope with the ever-changing environment, which increases feelings of fear, insecurity, and anxiety.
Depression in Perfectionists
The causes of depression include fault-finding, an all-or-nothing mentality, and an obsession with goals (not enjoying the journey!) — and those are all traits of people trying to be perfect.
Perfectionists also tend to find fault with themselves, which can lead to depression. Ben-Shahar writes, “Because the Perfectionist finds fault with everything, the actual circumstances of her life matter very little, because she will manage to find something wrong, magnify it out of all proportion, and thus ruin any possibility of enjoying what she has or what she does.”
Perfectionists are more prone to depression because they feel a constant fear of failure, and magnify the impact of real failures.
Perfectionism and Eating Disorders
If people who are trying to be perfect are concerned with body image, their susceptibility to eating disorders is increased. Why? It goes back to the all-or-nothing mindset that perfectionists have: they’re either fat or skinny, binging or starving, ugly or beautiful.
Failure to stick to a diet or exercise routine — or to be perfectly beautiful — leads to extreme feelings of failure, which triggers psychological and physical self-punishment. For a bulimic or binge eater, self-punishment could mean devouring all the ice cream, and then purging.
The effects of perfectionism go far beyond trying to create the best project, life, or experience possible! Trying to be perfect can have disastrous emotional, psychological, and physical results.
Note that perfectionists are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This doesn't mean all perfectionists will necessarily struggle with these psychological disorders.
Related Reading
If you found The Effects of Perfectionism helpful, try Coping With Stress and Anxiety, along with Overcoming Bulimia and Binge Eating and Natural Treatments for Depression.
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