Have you ever wondered if perfectionism is a psychological problem or not? Today we're going to talk about how different schools of psychology interpret perfectionism and how you can reconcile with your imperfections on a daily basis.
In our daily lives, we often unconsciously fall into patterns of living by high standards, for example:
Always wanting to make a good impression. Desire to be praised for every move you make Polishing something over and over again until it feels perfect. Require everyone around you to do their job with zero mistakes Whenever you're not satisfied with your work, you start over.wait a minute!
If you've hit several of the above, there may be a 
Perfectionism was first explored by psychologist Adler, who argued that the pursuit of perfection is an inherent engine of human progress, but if divorced from societal values, it can easily lead to psychological problems.
He categorizes perfectionist motives into four categories, corresponding to four lifestyles:
Social, Dominant, Avoidant, and Acquisitive.. The dominant, avoidant and acquisitive types tend to be psychologically unbalanced, while the social type promotes positive personal growth and contribution to society.
2. Each school of psychology has its own interpretation of perfectionism:
(1) Perfectionism in the eyes of the psychoanalytic school of thought
This school of thought proposes the theory of ego, self, and superego - that in childhood we are influenced by our parents to develop standards of behavior, and gradually develop a "superego".
Excessive pursuit of perfection is often driven by the superego.. When reality falls short of the superego's standards, people will demand perfection from their surroundings.
(2) Interpretation of the Individual School of Psychology
The theory suggests that feelings of inferiority are a catalyst for progress, and that people alleviate their low self-esteem by striving for superiority.
However, this pursuit can go to two extremes: healthy growth and avoidance of socialization.
(3) Perspectives on Sociocultural Neurosis Theory
Personality consists of the true self, the ideal self, and the real self.
When the three are out of balance, a person falls into perfectionism, overly concerned with the eyes of others and gaining a sense of value through external recognition.
(4) Humanistic understanding
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, perfectionism is the embodiment of the need for self-actualization, the
It represents realizing potential and becoming a better version of oneselfIt is about realizing your potential and becoming a better person.
There is no absolute right or wrong in each school of thought, and just as everyone's definition of happiness is different, perfectionism is also different for thousands of people. If a particular viewpoint strikes a chord with you, explore it in depth.
3. Practical guide: how to live with perfectionism?
Perfectionism is like a double-edged sword - sometimes it fuels success, sometimes it leads to procrastination and self-doubt. When it starts to drag, try these methods:
①
Signal of awareness
Realize that you are being kidnapped by perfectionism and find out the "musts" and "absolutes" in your head.Recognize that no one is perfect. Recognize that no one is perfect and allow yourself to mess up once in a while.
②
Exploring the RootsAsk yourself: what is being met behind the high standards? Is it proving worth? Overcoming low self-esteem? The answer is known only to you.
③Active choice
The first two steps help you to see the situation clearly, and the next step is to decide on your own: should you adjust your goals to make them easier to implement, or keep your standards high?The key is to make the choice, not to be pressured into it!
The key is for you to choose, not to be driven by pressure. If you can turn perfectionism into motivation, it can be the icing on the cake.Perfectionism affects all aspects of life. When feeling troubled, start with your emotions, find the triggering event, and gradually adjust your state. If conditions allow, there are also cognitive upgrades to radically improve.
