<p>Here is an abstract from Behavior Research and Therapy</p>
<p>Abstract</p>
<p>Both perfectionism and excessive responsibility have been linked to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Up to now however, a greater number of studies have focused on the role of responsibility. The present study compared compulsive-like behavior of people with different styles of perfectionism. Sixteen functional perfectionists (FP) and 16 dysfunctional perfectionists (DP) were compared on three different tasks in order to explore OC type behavior such as doubting, checking and intrusions. Results show that DP participants, compared to FP participants, scored higher on an OC behavior scale, took significantly more time to complete a precision task and precipitated their decision when confronted with ambiguity. The two groups also tended to differ in their intrusive thoughts following an unsolved problem; FP participants were more preoccupied about solving the problem than about the quality of their performance, contrary to DP subjects. Results are discussed according to theoretical models of OCD.</p>
<p>ADad (in response to your Post #114): I do not think that perfectionism–a positive attribute–can become “distorted” or “misused” to the point where it becomes a mental disorder or becomes the cause of mental disorders. As I stated in my Post #112, I have been consistent in discussing perfectionism within a performance-based context. Perfectionism is the self-motivation to perform a task to the best of one’s ability for the purpose of achieving optimum results. Perfectionism applies to one’s external achievements, not to one’s internal sense of self-worth. However, when an individual bases his or her entire sense of self-worth upon his or her external achievements, then that can be a problem, but perfectionism is not the cause of that problem.</p>
<p>I am a perfectionist, and I am selective about those tasks to which I apply my perfectionism. All of the people with whom I have been personally acquainted have also been perfectionists, and all have also been selective about the tasks to which they have applied their perfectionism. All of those people have been mentally, emotionally, and socially sound, with the exception of two people. Those two people–one a now-deceased close friend, and the other a former next-door neighbor–genuinely believed and openly proclaimed themselves to be “perfect” people. Both endured bitter and lonely lives, not because they were perfectionists, but because they were narcissists. Perfectionism did not cause the narcissism which damaged their lives.</p>
<p>I first contributed to this thread on February 23rd because I regarded the Original Post as a veiled attack on hard-working, high-achieving, goal-oriented, and well-intentioned people who are self-motivated to improve their lives through higher education, and by doing so, will be in a position to contribute positively to society. I am among the dwindling number of people who still value ambition, competition, achievement, and excellence. I am appalled by those who condone apathy, complacency, and passivity, and who promote mediocrity as an acceptable–and even a laudable–outcome for individuals, as well as for society. I oppose the Tyranny of the Average.</p>
<p>Timecruncher: I believe our culture needs people like you. Innovation and growth is dependent on hard work, commitment, and smarts. Perfectionism too. But I also believe that our culture needs a balance of styles to be healthy. We can’t all be go-getters. The people you may see as lazy sloths are the same ones who might be walking in the garden with their children, pointing out the butterflies and encouraging them to stop and smell the roses. They may be students who, although bright, may feel they need to figure out who they are. Perhaps they take less AP courses, read more, hang out and play guitar or ping pong. Is that wrong in your book? Is that lazy? In my experience, these folks tend to be happier, less stressed and more likely to live longer. Is that bad? I spent a number of years in a demanding, high stress, high achievement, fast-paced job. Didn’t work for me long term. I adjusted my priorities and I’m happier now. It feels right for me. I guess you would call me lazy or perhaps…horrors…average. :)</p>
<p>“I am appalled by those who condone apathy, complacency, and passivity, and who promote mediocrity as an acceptable–and even a laudable–outcome for individuals, as well as for society. I oppose the Tyranny of the Average.” by timecruncher…</p>
<p>average is what many people are and there contributions to society are absolutely necessary for society to work- </p>
<p>and to discard them is truely sad and elitist indeed - not everyone needs to always be the best at all they do </p>
<p>i can’t imagine a society filled with perfectionist…how unpleasent that would be</p>
<p>I want people to strive for the best in an area in their life, but I don’t want or expect it in all they do</p>
<p>Would I want a cop who was a perfectionist, I don’t know, would I want my Ds teacher to be a perfectionist, absolutely not, would I want my surgeon to be one in her job, you betcha, would i want it in a rock and roll band, doubtful</p>
<p>To citygirlsmom and toneranger (in response to your Posts #123-#125): I respectfully request that you set emotion aside and re-read my Post #122. Pay special attention to my use of the words “selective,” “attack,” “value,” and “promote.” A careful re-read of that post (and of each of my previous posts to this thread) will reveal to you that I neither advocate the application of perfectionism to every area of one’s life, nor do I criticize the manner in which one chooses to apply perfectionism. </p>
<p>In all my posts, I have consistently expressed my positive viewpoint of perfectionism in a realistic manner cognizant of individual abilities, preferences, and choices. By contrast, the negative viewpoint of perfectionism expressed in the Original Post advocates the unrealistic eradication of perfectionism in all individuals, without regard for individual abilities, preferences, and choices. </p>
<p>Compare the Original Post (and the posts of others who consider perfectionism to be a mental disorder) with my posts (and the posts of others who consider perfectionism to be a positive human attribute). Evaluate those posts with regard to reason, logic, and regard for individuality. Set emotion aside, and consider which viewpoint of perfectionism is more acceptable to you.</p>
<p>“I am among the dwindling number of people who still value ambition, competition, achievement, and excellence. I am appalled by those who condone apathy, complacency, and passivity, and who promote mediocrity as an acceptable–and even a laudable–outcome for individuals, as well as for society. I oppose the Tyranny of the Average”.
Sorry timecruncher, but I don’t see this wrap-up of yours as narrow in scope. So you are clarifying yourself now and saying that folks who use selective perfectionism are OK in your book. But I still maintain that leaves a lot of perfectly normal “laid back” folks in your dog house. Your conclusion comes across as pompous or elitist…or whatever the best label is for this feeling of superiority you have in this increasingly “average” society.<br>
I have a balanced view of perfectionism. I completely agree with you that it’s a fine trait when used selectively and in certain domains. I also have the view that perfectionism CAN lead to negative consequences. I’m not going to repeat the details…I covered this in my earlier posts.<br>
Set my emotion aside? Consider the best view? Unlike you, I don’t see this issue as black and white. There’s a middle ground here. And finally, my tendencies are to be analytical and logical…so you’re barking up the wrong tree.</p>
<p>Striving for perfection: Um, guilty as charged. I am someone who was happily imperfect for the first 28 years of life. I then took on the “perfect mom” mantle the first time I held my daughter. While it may come naturally to some of you, not only could I not pull it off, but I felt that much more awful about “failing”. Then one day many years later, my middle daughter wrote me this card that I have permanently posted on my refrigerator. It says, “I know you think you are not a perfect mom. But you are perfect for us, and that’s good enough.” </p>
<p>Sorry this post is not in keeping with the highly cerebral and intellectual ones that preceed it, including DSM IV diagnostic criteria, journal citations and the OCD w/perfection vs. OCPD debate. My degrees are in neurobiology and clinical psychology, so naturally I was quite interested in the postings. </p>
<p>I find this thread is riveting in light of how painfully many parents struggle to understand how, if they did everything as perfectly as possible, their child hasn’t been accepted by this college or that. Again, guilty as charged.</p>