Perfectionism

A fast track to unhappiness.

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For perfectionists, life is an endless report card on accomplishments or looks.

Perfectionism is a fast track to discontentment, and it is often accompanied by depression as well as eating disorders. While those in the grip of perfectionism desire success, they are usually most focused on avoiding failure. This gives perfectionists a negative orientation, which is what makes perfectionism so toxic. Luckily, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness therapy can be extremely helpful to perfectionists.

What Causes Perfectionism?

Perfectionism is driven primarily by internal pressures, such as the desire to avoid failure or harsh judgment. There is likely a social component as well – because perfectionistic tendencies have increased substantially among young people over the past 30 years, regardless of gender or culture. Greater academic and professional competition is thought to play a role, along with the pervasive presence of social media and the harmful social comparisons it elicits.

Perfectionists set unrealistically high expectations for themselves and others. They are quick to find fault and overly critical of mistakes. They tend to procrastinate a project out of their fear of failure. They shrug off compliments and forget to celebrate their success. Instead, they look to specific people in their life for approval and validation.

Symptoms of Perfectionism

Perfectionism manifests in various ways, significantly impacting your daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being. Recognizing its signs and symptoms is crucial, and some of the most prevalent indicators include:

  • Feeling pressure to live up to expectations
  • Needing clear structure and organization
  • Being driven and ambitious
  • Having an exaggerated fear of failure
  • Having high standards and expectations
  • Having difficulty overlooking small mistakes
  • Self-worth and self-esteem are contingent on success
  • Having high levels of insecurity
  • Viewing any mistake as a failure
  • Engaging in excessive self-criticism and rumination
  • Always being over-prepared
  • Having hypersensitivity to criticism
  • Fearing rejection because of mistakes
  • Having rigid black-or-white thinking

The symptoms of perfectionism can make every day a struggle and require treatment. For most people, overcoming perfectionism means turning to perfectionism therapy.

Overcoming Perfectionism Depression

Whether you live in New York City or elsewhere, it’s easy to feel the stress >derived from family, work, and a relationship. You feel as though you should always perform at your peak. While striving for higher goals is not a standard you should avoid, there are ways to achieve them without sacrificing your physical and mental health. 

Since there is a strong correlation between perfectionism and depression, learning how to cope with failure is a huge component of treating the maladaptive perfectionist attitude. People that are prone to maladaptive perfectionism are easily set back if circumstances don’t go their way. They constantly try to find ways to feel good, but in the end, they are eventually forced to face reality. 

This behavior can be extremely challenging for couples, while even if the person dealing with maladaptive perfectionism may not hold their partner up to the same standards they hold themselves. For the partner, the resulting behavior can be daunting to see and manage, if their loved one fails to achieve their impossible goal. By seeking help from a perfectionism therapist in NYC, you can eventually change your world outlook and begin setting realistic and attainable goals.

How to Find a Therapist for Perfectionism

When searching for how to treat perfectionism, the best option is to turn to therapy. Counseling can offer the guidance you need to manage symptoms and lead a happier life.

But how do you find a New York therapist for perfectionism you can depend on?
The first thing you want to do is to look for experience. The perfectionism therapy NYC expert should have adequate knowledge and training working with others facing the same challenges you do. When you have someone helping you who has the right experience, they can know how to better target your condition.

When considering perfectionism therapy in New York, you should know the therapist’s treatment modalities. Not all modalities are as effective on every condition, so asking about this can help you ensure you will start treatment correctly and will not have to backtrack.
For those searching for how to overcome perfectionism with the help of an expert, asking questions of the perfectionism therapy NYC specialist can give you an idea of what to expect from treatment. No matter how trivial the questions seem, your potential therapist for perfectionism should be ready to answer them.

Turning to Citron Hennessey for perfectionism therapy can be a good way to find the person who can help you overcome this concern. We carefully analyze your needs to match you with the perfectionism treatment expert you need.

You can begin by letting us know what you struggle with, the kind of treatment sessions that you would prefer, and the days and times you have available for therapy. We can then find the expert ready to offer the guidance you need on your schedule so you don’t have to put the rest of your life on hold.
If you are searching for how to deal with perfectionism in a healthier way that allows joy back into your life, turn to the right treatment team.