Since perfectionism is bred from an insecure attachment it will be accompanied by other issues outlined as follows –
Fear of abandonment – fear of failure – social fear – toxic jealousy – envy – toxic anger/rage – depression – anxiety – panic attacks – controlling impulse – internal unease – impatience – self-loathing – separation difficulties – chronic stress – suicidal ideation – poor concentration – lack of meaning – procrastination – difficulty finishing assignments – magical thinking – body image problems – negative outlook – negative thinking – stress related illnesses – avoidance mechanisms – worry – competitiveness –aggression – lack of assertiveness – people pleasing –taking in the feelings of others – low self-esteem – emptiness – addictions – perfectionism – sadness – existential loneliness – shame – poor boundaries – relationship difficulties – parenting difficulties – possible increased fear of death – difficulty in meeting the challenges of life development stages – fear of ageing – insecurity – frozen feelings – lack of empathy – compulsive behaviours – possible promiscuity – dissociation – eating disorders – inability to self-soothe – an emotional or soul wound –feeling unloved/unwanted – feeling unlovable – uncertainty –poor judgement – warped perspective – lethargy – being driven – impaired immune system – physical illnesses from stress response systems (heart problems, diabetes, blood pressure etc.) – abusiveness – psychosomatic complaints.
It is easy to see how perfectionism can lead to those listed; for example, the treadmill of continuous striving and failure can lead to a low mood and confirms your feeling of not being good enough. This in turn can stoke anger and resentment. The concretisation of not feeling good enough in body image problems leads to eating disorders in a futile striving to be physically perfect.
Extract from my recent book – Understanding and Healing the Hurts of Childhood.
THERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
COUNSELLING TIPPERARY
DEATH OF A CHILD
ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FEAR
ANGER
JEALOUSY
SHAME
I am the author of six books
When a Child Dies. Footsteps of a Grieving Family
Abuse. Domestic Violence, Workplace and School Bullying
Understanding and Healing the Hurts of Childhood.
I’ll Meet You at the Roundy O
Priest, Politics and Society in Post Famine Ireland 1850-1891
Prince of Swindlers. John Sadleir MP 1813-1856
I am currently writing a major work on DID (Multiple Personality Disorder)