Excellence or unhealthy perfectionism? (1)

In many areas of life it seems you have to have some perfectionist tendencies to get on. It is a trait that's encouraged.Touching almost every area of life. Communicated in schools, families, media, workplaces. But what happens when it transforms into negative forms or habits. 

Today we highlight John Wyatt's exploration of the signs and symptoms of unhealthy perfectionism. Next Wednesday (9th) he'll consider 'How to be a recovering perfectionist'

An extract...

Signs and symptoms of unhealthy perfectionism

There may be obsessive self-criticism, and a constant sense of failure. Sometimes there are desperate attempts to make ourselves try harder in order to achieve our self-imposed standards. There may be procrastination and an inability to get down to work because of fear of failure and rejection. Another common sign is ‘Black and white thinking’. Either something is wonderful, brilliant and excellent or else hopeless, useless, terrible and worthless. ‘Unless I can be the best at something I refuse to even try’. Excessive criticism and contempt for others who don’t meet the required standards is also common.

Other signs are perpetual feelings of guilt and failure. There is a tendency to worry and obsess about past failures and mistakes, coupled with feelings of shame and anxiety about how I am perceived by others. For those who are working in a responsible position there are anxieties about whether ‘I am good enough’, and fear of future failures.

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