The destructiveness of perfectionism: Implications for the treatment of depression.

Abstract

Reports in the public media indicate that intense perfectionism and severe self-criticism played a role in the suicide of three remarkably talented individuals. The role of perfectionism in these suicides is consistent with recent extensive investigations of aspects of perfectionism as well as further analyses of the NIMH Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program (TDCRP), indicating that intense perfectionism interfered significantly with therapeutic response in the various brief treatments for depression. Self-critical individuals, however, made substantial improvement in long-term intensive treatment. These findings suggest the value of considering psychopathology, especially depression, from a psychological rather than a symptomatic perspective; that different patients may be differentially responsive to various types of therapy; and that more extensive therapy may be necessary for many highly perfectionistic, self-critical patients.

Self-critical perfectionism and binge eating symptoms: A longitudinal test of the intervening role of psychological need frustration.

“…For instance, SC perfectionists typically strive for unrealistically high, almost utopian standards (Shafran et al, 2002), which increases the odds of failure (Blatt, 1995).…”

“…For instance, SC perfectionists may be more critical for their own functioning and may evaluate their goal progress more negatively than non-perfectionists (Blatt, 1995). SC perfectionists may also be more sensitive for ego-threatening information, thereby pushing themselves into action.…”

On psychological growth and vulnerability: Basic psychological need satisfaction and need frustration as a unifying principle.

“…These high standards are pursued in a rigid fashion and are typically accompanied by black-white thinking (Shafran & Mansell, 2001). Even small failures to achieve these high standards can give rise to intense feelings of guilt and inferiority, whereas successes are shortlived and often attributed to external and unstable causes (e.g., Blatt, 1995). In short, in a selfperpetuating chain, self-critical forms of perfectionism may elicit increasing need frustration.…”

A Convergence Study on the Relationship between Perfectionism, Stress, and Burnout among College Golf Athletes

“…Perfectionism in sports is considered a leading variable that positively affects athletic achievement [2,16,17], but also negatively affects performance [18][19][20]. A review of perfectionism revealed that it is closely associated with stress [21,22].…”