There are many negative effects of being a perfectionist. These effects range from socially prescribed perfectionism to self-critical perfectionism. This article explains the effects of these different kinds of perfectionism, and shows why they can be detrimental to our health. In addition, we’ll explore how to overcome perfectionism and get back to the life you want to live. To get started, read about the three types of perfectionists. Then, learn about the different types of perfectionists and how to identify which one is the most damaging to your health.
Socially prescribed perfectionism
Perfectionists are categorized as self-oriented, socially prescribed, and other-oriented. Self-oriented perfectionists believe that people have unrealistic expectations of them, and they constantly evaluate the work of others using their own unrealistic standards. Socially prescribed perfectionists are more likely to have high levels of guilt and shame after failure. These results support the hypothesis that high levels of perfectionism increase the risk of rejection and distress following failure.
While these characteristics seem to correlate with healthy achievement, perfectionism is a disorder that negatively impacts one’s quality of life. It is often a defense mechanism against pain. People who feel shame and blame often use perfectionism as a crutch to escape pain. This is a self-defeating behavior that can cause a lifetime of mental anguish. The more difficult the situation, the more perfectionism a person has.
Other-oriented perfectionism
Another-oriented perfectionist has a facade of perfection that makes them appear self-assured. Their false sense of security comes from their belief that everything would be perfect if only others didn’t have imperfections. This kind of perfectionism can lead to bitterness and resentment in both children and parents. In addition to resentment, criticism can lead to a change in parenting style. Parenting an Other-oriented perfectionist requires intervention on all fronts.
An investigation into the personality traits and situation characteristics of Other-oriented perfectionists found that the socially prescribed type of perfectionism negatively correlated with both affiliative humor and aggressive humor. In addition, OOP showed a negative relationship with callous-uncaring traits, self-evaluation, and prosocial orientation. These differences were also observed between self-awareness and self-esteem. It was concluded that OOP and SOP perfectionists are more likely to experience social disconnection than self-aware perfectionists.
Self-critical perfectionism
What is the link between COVID-19 and the self-critical perfectionist? While this fear is unrelated, the perfectionists’ increased apprehensions about COVID-19 may lead to psychological distress. Fear of COVID-19 is a partial mediator, and the two disorders are linked. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between COVID-19 and the self-critical perfectionist. The results of the study suggest that the self-critical perfectionists’ apprehensions about COVID-19 and the fear of RNT are related.
The findings of this study contradict the diathesis model, which suggests that high-self-critical perfectionism is related to increased stress. The students who exhibited a high level of self-critical perfectionism reported significantly higher levels of stress in college. They also reported higher levels of depression and a greater tendency toward depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that the relationship between high self-critical perfectionism and depression is weaker than previously thought.
Negative effects of perfectionism on mental and physical health
A perfectionist is likely to suffer from imposter syndrome, in which a person constantly compares themselves to others in a negative manner. Such comparisons can lead to stress and depression. The high standards can also lead to physical ailments, such as obesity, heart disease, and depression. People with perfectionism are also likely to avoid public speaking and singing for fear of being ridiculed. While these physical conditions aren’t necessarily dangerous, the emotional effects of perfectionism can be debilitating.
The most devastating effect of perfectionism is the tendency to suffer from depression. A recent meta-analysis found a strong correlation between those with a perfectionism tendency and the likelihood of committing suicide. Some factors contribute to this tendency, such as being organised or demanding of others. But perfectionism can also lead to physical health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. It is also linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, including those with a history of depression or an urge to end their lives.