While striving for excellence can be positive, extreme perfectionism often comes with a heavy price.
It contributes to stress, burnout, eating disorders, panic attacks, and even depression. Ironically, the path to better health and happiness often lies in learning to slow down and let go.Perfectionism can be a strong motivator, pushing us to excel at work, school, and in our personal lives. In moderation, it has its benefits. But when it becomes an unforgiving taskmaster, it leads to constant tension, feelings of inadequacy, and mental exhaustion.
Psychologist Ellen Hendriksen from Boston University explains that perfectionism is rarely just about seeking perfection. It’s often rooted in a deep fear of failure and rejection. Many perfectionists chase impossible standards to avoid criticism or because of societal norms that idolize flawlessness.
Few people realize the connection between perfectionism and various health issues, both mental and physical. “Perfectionism is a major contributor to eating disorders, certain types of depression, and OCD,” says Hendriksen. She notes that it can even be linked to unexpected conditions like migraines, erectile dysfunction, and panic attacks.
“I personally experienced physical consequences,” Hendriksen shares. “I developed a gastrointestinal condition, went through five rounds of physical therapy, and sustained an injury from typing too long. One morning, I woke up unable to turn my head to the right because my muscles were so tight.”
In her book How to Be Enough: Self-Acceptance for Self-Critics and Perfectionists, Dr. Hendriksen addresses those who, like herself, struggle with the relentless pursuit of perfection. She emphasizes that a person’s worth goes beyond their achievements and that mental well-being often comes from self-compassion and the ability to be unproductive without guilt.
