He Pathological perfectionism and self-demand They are personality traits that have been studied in depth in psychology and psychiatry. Although these traits can help some people achieve their goals and be successful in life, too much can lead to stress, anxiety, and mental health problems.
He pathological perfectionism It is characterized by the obsessive need to do things “perfectly.” People who suffer from this trait tend to have high expectations of themselves and others, and are very critical of any mistakes or imperfections. This can lead to a high level of stress, as the person feels they must meet an impossible standard of perfection. In addition, pathological perfectionism can cause problems in personal and professional life, as the person may have difficulty adapting to new or unforeseen situations.
For its part, the self-demand refers to the pressure people put on themselves to do things “perfectly” or to meet very high standards. Although self-demand can be a positive trait in some cases, such as when seeking to improve in a skill or activity, in excess it can be detrimental to mental and emotional health. People who suffer from self-demand tend to feel anxious and stressed if they fail to meet their goals and criticize themselves harshly when they make mistakes.
Several studies have found that both pathological perfectionism and self-demand are associated with an increased risk of anxiety disorders and depression. For example, a study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that pathological perfectionism is related to a greater likelihood of developing anxiety and depression disorders in college students. Another study published in the journal Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice found that pathological perfectionism is related to an increased risk of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, while self-demandingness is related to an increased risk of anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
It is important to highlight that the Pathological perfectionism and self-demand They are not the same as personal effort and the desire to improve. Personal effort and the desire to improve are positive traits that can drive personal growth and development. However, pathological perfectionism and self-demand are extremes that can negatively affect people’s mental and emotional health.
In conclusion, the Pathological perfectionism and self-demand They are personality traits that can have negative effects on people’s mental and emotional health. Although these traits can be useful in some situations, too much can lead to anxiety, stress, and mental health problems. Therefore, it is important to work on managing these traits to avoid negative long-term consequences. Therapy and counseling can be helpful for people who struggle with pathological perfectionism and self-demand, helping them understand and manage these personality traits and promoting greater acceptance of themselves and their achievements.
References:
- Egan, SJ, Piek, JP, Dyck, MJ, & Rees, CS (2019). The relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress: The mediating roles of rumination, worry, and intolerance of uncertainty. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 37(3), 242-256. doi:10.1007/s10942-019-00319-2
- Hewitt, P.L., Flett, G.L., & Mikail, S.F. (2017). Perfectionism: A vulnerability factor for depression. In Handbook of Depression in Children and Adolescents (pp. 63-77). Springer, Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-57138-7_5
- Hewitt, P.L., Flett, G.L., & Mikail, S.F. (2018). Perfectionism: A vulnerability factor for suicide in depression? In The Oxford Handbook of Depression and Comorbidity (pp. 243-255). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199797004.013.17
- Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2006). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(4), 295-319. doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr1004_2
- Stoeber, J., & Yang, H. (2016). Perfectionism and emotional adjustment. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 165-168. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.025