Is Perfectionism a Natural Trait?

Perfectionism is an annoying trait that people may have inherited or learned to develop over time. In some cases, it is a result of childhood trauma or control issues, and it is a coping mechanism that allows people to master the fallout from abuse. Regardless of its root cause, perfectionism can be difficult to overcome. To learn more about how to cope with this trait, read on. This article will outline three key strategies to overcome this trait.


Self-compassion
If you're suffering from perfectionism, you may be wondering whether this trait is natural or a problem. While some people are born with this trait, others develop it during their life. This condition may interfere with your quality of life, your ability to function well, and your thoughts of harming others. In such cases, you may want to seek treatment. A therapist can help you overcome this issue by teaching you new ways of thinking about your goals and feelings. They may also help you learn to accept and let go of negative feedback.

One of the most common symptoms of perfectionism is the tendency to follow rigid routines and to become overly attached to them. These routines are so important for perfectionists, in fact, that they can turn into a form of compulsive behavior. For example, a perfectionist may take on extra work at work or set strict deadlines, or may have strict schedules for exercise and meal plans.

Self-evaluative perfectionism
It's natural for people to be self-evaluative perfectionists. Despite the stereotype that perfectionism is a negative trait, there are many instances of individuals exhibiting self-evaluative perfectionism. It's often a sign of depression, anxiety, or both. For this reason, many people with perfectionism may feel they're unable to succeed, even if they are highly motivated.

Many studies have linked self-evaluative perfectionism to a wide range of anxiety symptoms, but these studies don't shed much light on the causes and effects of perfectionism. In contrast, socially prescribed perfectionism is associated with feelings of self-consciousness. However, in this study, the correlation was stronger than expected. The study's findings provide a foundation for a more complete picture of the nature of perfectionism, and the factors that contribute to it.

Ruminative brooding
The tendency to brood about a situation is known as rumination, and it is closely associated with clinical depression. In the midst of ruminating, brooders perceive problems as debilitating and sabotage any attempts to make things better. This in turn leads to negative feelings, which then create an endless cycle of ruminative thinking. But there is a good news: rumination can be curbed with cognitive training and mindfulness practices.

Researchers from the University of Arizona studied 2,000 undergraduate students to identify the factors that may be driving this tendency. They asked subjects to voice their thoughts aloud for 10 minutes during unscheduled breaks. The researchers found that high ruminators tend to have different thoughts than low ruminators, and the research may have implications for diagnosing mental disorders. Ultimately, the findings support the importance of taking healthy mental breaks.

Avoidance of failure
One of the characteristics of perfectionism is its obsession with achieving perfection. This compulsion to exceed expectations can create feelings of anxiety, lack of confidence, and imposter syndrome. Because of this need to be perfect, perfectionists often avoid the development of positive habits and set goals that they are unsure they can achieve. Moreover, they are highly unlikely to admit that they failed or made mistakes. Because of these traits, perfectionism can interfere with the process of therapy.


Research has shown that maladaptive perfectionism is associated with negative affects. Unlike other types of perfectionism, maladaptive perfectionists do not exhibit high rates of depression or anxiety. However, they do have a tendency to catastrophize seemingly non-stressful events and everyday stressors. Yet these minor events are enough to cause considerable distress and even mediate the negative effects of major stressors.