Perfectionism has long been associated with positive traits. People view perfectionists as the go-getters, the high-achievers, and those who are mostly likely to get things done.
However, according to the BBC, perfectionism may not be the most perfect trait to have.
Perfectionists have a wide host of problems that non-perfectionists typically don’t suffer from. For example, perfectionists are far more likely to experience problems such as depression, anxiety, and even most eating disorders. Additionally, perfectionists are likelier to feel as though they aren’t meeting anybody’s expectations. Even suicidal ideation is higher in perfectionists.
Despite the negative outcomes associated with strong perfectionism, moderate perfectionism is a good thing. Striving to meet one’s goals is hardly a negative, and neither is aiming for the best. However, it becomes a problem when a person’s standards and expectations are too high to meet and therefore cause stress.
If you’re not a perfectionist, you can definitely avoid some of these negative health outcomes. If you’re a strong perfectionist, consider trying to minimize your perfectionism for your own health. Finally, if you’re a moderate perfectionist — keep doing what you’re doing.