Perfectionism and its impact on Mental Health

People who have perfectionist tendencies often set very high standards for themselves and others, which greatly affects their mental health. Do you want to know why?

What is perfectionism and how does it manifest itself?

Perfectionism is a personality trait that manifests as a constant pursuit of excellence and perfection in all aspects of life.

Often, they focus on mistakes or imperfections instead of acknowledging their achievements and successes.

Perfectionists can also be very demanding of themselves, which can take a heavy emotional and physical toll.

They may experience anxiety, stress, depression, emotional exhaustion due to the constant pressure to achieve a level of perfection that is impossible to achieve.

Perfectionism can lead to procrastination, as the person may feel overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to do things perfectly.

It is important to note that perfectionism is not the same as the healthy pursuit of excellence and personal growth.

The difference is that the healthy pursuit of excellence focuses on progress and learning, while the perfectionism focuses on reaching an unattainable standard of perfection and can lead to a state of dissatisfaction constant.

• Related article: "Dysfunctional Perfectionism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment"

What are the negative effects of perfectionism on mental health?

The main harmful consequences of perfectionism when it comes to mental health are these:

1. anxiety and stress

Perfectionists often experience high levels of anxiety and stress due to the constant pressure to meet very high standards. Constant worry about not living up to those standards can lead to a state of chronic anxiety.

2. Depression

Perfectionism has also been linked to depression. Perfectionists can feel overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to meet their high standards and feel like they are not good enough. This can lead to a depressed mood and a feeling of hopelessness.

3. Low self-esteem

Perfectionists can be very critical of themselves and their own work, which can lead to low self-esteem. They may feel like they are never good enough. and that they must always work harder to achieve perfection.

4. emotional exhaustion

Perfectionism can be very emotionally draining. The constant pressure to meet high standards can lead to a feeling of emotional and physical exhaustion.

• You may be interested in: "Emotional fatigue: strategies to face and overcome it"

5. physical problems

Perfectionism can also have negative effects on physical health. Perfectionists can experience headaches, digestive problems, sleep problems, and other physical problems due to constant stress.

What is the relationship between perfectionism and self-esteem?

Perfectionism and self-esteem are closely related, and the relationship between the two can be complex.

Perfectionists often set very high standards for themselves and they can be very critical of themselves when they don't meet those standards.

Furthermore, they may base their self-esteem on their achievements and successes, instead of valuing themselves for who they are as a person.

This can lead to a fragile and vulnerable self-esteem, which is threatened when standards of perfection are not met.

Constantly seeking approval and recognition leads to self-esteem that is dependent and conditioned on the opinion of others. The constant need for approval can be emotionally draining and lead to a feeling of lack of control over one's life.

Strategies to manage perfectionism. Keep these tips in mind so that problems related to perfectionism do not arise.

1. Identify and challenge perfectionist thoughts

Perfectionists often have rigid, negative thoughts about themselves and their achievements. Identifying and questioning these thoughts can help challenge perfectionism and promote a more realistic and healthy outlook.

2. Set realistic and achievable goals

Rather than setting impossible standards, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals that promote growth and learning. This can help reduce the pressure and stress associated with perfectionism.

3. practice self-compassion

It is important to be kind and compassionate to yourself. Instead of criticizing yourself for falling short of perfection, It's important to recognize that we all make mistakes. and that it is not necessary to be perfect to be valuable.

4. accept imperfection

Learning to accept imperfection can be challenging for perfectionists, but it is an important step on the road to overcoming perfectionism.

5. Take breaks and take care of mental and physical health

It is important to take regular breaks and take care of your mental and physical health. This can help reduce the pressure and stress associated with perfectionism., and promote a more balanced and healthy outlook.

6. seek support

Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can be helpful in managing and overcoming perfectionism. It can help provide an outside perspective and develop effective strategies for managing perfectionism.

Advice from a psychologist

People who struggle with perfectionism they can work on developing a more flexible and tolerant mindset towards themselves.

This may involve learning to accept that failure is a natural part of the learning and growing process, and that it is not possible to be perfect in all areas of life.

Also, it can be helpful to learn to distinguish between realistic goals and impossible goals. By setting achievable goals, people can avoid being overwhelmed by the feeling that they are never good enough.

It is also important to learn to celebrate achievements and to recognize that progress is not always linear. Sometimes people may experience setbacks or setbacks on the road to success, but that doesn't mean they aren't moving forward.

A psychologist can help people identify unhealthy thought and behavior patterns and develop effective strategies to manage them more constructively.