How are perfectionism and depression related?

Did you know that there are different types of perfectionism? It is very common that behind concepts that we use in our daily way of speaking there are hide nuances that we tend to overlook because we do not have words to refer specifically to they.

That is why one of the tasks of psychology is to investigate and create sub-concepts to better understand our way of behaving and feeling emotions, and this is precisely what happens with the word "Perfectionism".

In this article we will see why being a very perfectionist is not always a good thing and can actually lead to mood disorders such as depression.

• Related article: "Types of depression: their symptoms, causes and characteristics"

Is dysfunctional (or maladaptive) perfectionism is a form of perfectionism that leads to problems emotional or behavioral, either by generating discomfort in oneself or by leading to create conflicts with the rest.

The latter occurs, for example, with what is known as "other-oriented perfectionism", in which there are unrealistic expectations about how it should behave other people, even making them subject to double standards: from this way of thinking, oneself is not subject to the same rules of good behavior that others are expected to comply with, which facilitates that there is not a “limit” of perfectionism and that each time we are more intransigent with the behavior others. It is a psychological phenomenon associated with narcissism and certain antisocial personality traits.

However, the opposite can also occur. There are those who are under a lot of pressure in everything that has to do with conforming to what is considered to be a way of being "acceptable", and Sometimes these high standards are inventions that you create yourself.. However, such cases do not always have to give rise to psychological disorders; For example, such perfectionism can be a source of motivation that constantly poses challenging challenges.

The problem comes when control of that motivational source is lost, and perfectionism becomes a a kind of dictator to which you submit yourself without the latter contributing anything or rewarding you for your efforts.

The link between perfectionism and depression

So far we have seen an outline of the main three types of perfectionism. In the first place, we have briefly described perfectionism oriented towards others, defined by imposing rules on others to which oneself is not subject. Then, we have seen self-oriented perfectionism, defined by the desire to improve. Finally, we have discussed the essence of the third type of perfectionism, the socially prescribed, based on constant worry and anguish over failing to meet the standards of what is acceptable from the (supposed) point of view of others. It is the latter type that is most associated with depression.

While self-oriented perfectionism is closely linked to the motivation to reach goals concrete, the socially prescribed is rather linked to the avoidance of non-compliance with certain rules; You don't look for what will make you feel good, you fear what will make you feel bad. And in the process, we become obsessed with it and bring it from the future to the present, constantly anticipating situations of humiliation, failure, etc.

Thus, This type of perfectionism not only does not motivate, but it immobilizes us, since it generates insecurities that in the medium and long term lead us to despair and a lack of interest in getting involved in any complex activity. It is at this point that the effects of perfectionism overlap with those of depression, which arising from those passive habits and that pessimistic way of seeing oneself and the the rest.

Of course, the lines of separation between these types of perfectionism are not insurmountable barriers. For example, in a case, self-oriented perfectionism can become socially prescribed and lead to the appearance of a mood disorder. That is why usually until a diagnosis is established in the context of clinical psychology it is not possible to know precisely how perfectionism interacts with a person's mental health person.

• You may be interested in: "The 3 types of perfectionism, and how they affect us"

What needs to be done to overcome this problem?

No one is condemned to suffer the symptoms of depression forever or carry the emotional burden of dysfunctional perfectionism on their shoulders. All psychological disorders have a behavioral component, and that means that in the same way in which these psychological alterations arise from learnings that we internalize without realizing it, we can “unlearn” everything that has made them Appear.

In other words, there are psychological training techniques and strategies that lead us to be able to adopt new, more flexible and constructive points of view, and new ways of relating to the environment and to others, changing both our mood and the way we approach our tasks and responsibilities.

However, in cases of depression this entire learning process goes through going to therapy. Mood disorders are psychopathologies with severe effects that should not be underestimated, in part because in many cases they have a damaging effect on our ability to set goals and try to take care of our health mental. Therefore, it is necessary to have the help of at least one psychologist. Through psychotherapy, both of you will build the means that will support you in your new way to manage your emotions and to approach your goals and personal objectives and / or professionals.

Do you want to have professional psychological support?

If you are interested in starting a psychotherapy process, get in touch with our team of mental health professionals.

On Psychomaster We offer services in the areas of psychology and psychiatric assistance, both in our center located in Madrid and through the online therapy modality. We have many years of experience intervening in cases of dysfunctional perfectionism, depression and other disorders of the state of mind, and we can provide you with the emotional management tools to overcome that discomfort by going to the root of the trouble.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Panamericana.
• Besser, A., Flett, G. and Hewitt, P. (2004). Perfectionism, Cognition, and Affect in Response to Performance Failure vs. Success. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 22, 297-324.
• Kotov, R.; Gamez, W.; Schmidt, F.; Watson, D.; et al. (2010). Linking "big" personality traits to anxiety, depressive, and substance use disorders: a meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 136 (5): pp. 768 - 821.
• Kramer, Peter D. (2006). Against depression. Barcelona: Seix Barral.
• National Collaborating Center for Mental Health. Depression. (2009). The treatment and management of depression in adults. National Clinical Practice Guideline Number 90. London: British Psychological Society and Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Perestelo Pérez L, González Lorenzo M, Rivero Santana AJ, Pérez Ramos J. (2007). Decision support tools for patients with depression. Quality Plan for the SNS of the MSPS. SESCS; 2010. STD reports.