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It’s perfectly reasonable to worry about perfectionism

18 Jul 05:30am

Filed under: Disorders, Health, Perfectionism, Self Esteem

Perfectionism is a badge that many achievers wear with pride. But when does healthy striving for high standards become a health problem? All too often, my research has found.

What? I'm just being neat.

In 20 years working with those affected by eating disorders, I have noticed a worrying tendency among sufferers to aim for impossible standards, and to be overcome with a sense of worthlessness when these crippling expectations are not met.

Colleagues and I discerned similar patterns among patients struggling with depression, anxiety and other common but debilitating disorders.

Continue reading "It’s perfectly reasonable to worry about perfectionism" »

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stephen says:

06:11pm | 18/07/11

Perhaps though, in reading your article again, youngsters are more seemingly perfectionist, as an attempt at isolating themselves socially, therefore physically, from so many people around them ; does the internet, with its octopussy reach into all our lives, force isolationist behaviours such as bogus, ( and in my opinion,… Read more »
stephen says:

05:53pm | 18/07/11

What about viruses. Do they, as organisms, and ones which want to kill us, also suffer from perfection ? And if they do, why can’t we, (even as an inherent defence ?) Read more »

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