What made humanity change for the better,to evolve, to achieve ambitious goals? Of course, the pursuit of the ideal and perfection. However, such a desire or, as it is called, perfectionism is not always useful for the human psyche. How to determine the boundary beyond which the desire to make the world and yourself perfect becomes an obsessive pathological idea? Let's figure it out.
Perfectionism: what is it?
It is quite easy to guess the origin of thisthe words. It comes from the English perfection (rus. "Perfection"). Scientists believe that the phenomenon of perfectionism is associated with ancient times. It was then that people learned to cope with hunger and the elements of nature, create a comfortable space for life, and turn to the spiritual, inner side of their personality. It is no coincidence that at that time many philosophical schools appeared. However, one must be able to distinguish the desire for excellent results, dictated by natural motivation, from its pathological form, which is expressed in the denial of imperfection. Being a personal characteristic, perfectionism has a positive effect on a person in terms of improving his social status, personal qualities, career growth, etc. We think that now you will not wonder: “Perfectionism - what is it?” But another one appears: “How to determine its presence?”
Symptoms
Perfectionism, the meaning of which we have examined above, has several characteristic features:
- the formation of unattainable or excessively high standards;
- doubts about own knowledge, achievements, skills;
- rigid fixation on the shortcomings and errors;
- increased susceptibility to criticism;
- guilt for minor or imaginary errors;
- the desire in any way to meet the expectations of others, despite the high complexity or the impracticability of the task.
If you find yourself in at least one oflisted above features, then you have perfectionism. What it is and what are its signs, we have learned. Now let's figure out whether it is possible to get rid of him, if he became pathological.
Three rules for deliverance
In case of perfectionism, the definition of whichThere is a philosophical dictionaries, became a neurosis, an obsessive desire, you must immediately contact a psychologist. It will help increase stress resistance and eliminate the pathology. But there are rules that can facilitate a perfectionist obsession on the result:
1. Do not take criticism
It is clear that if a person put a maximumefforts to achieve a result, the criticism will be offensive to him. Do not take it too seriously. Remember: everyone evaluates the surrounding reality through the prism of life experience, and it’s simply unrealistic to please everyone.
2. Objectively evaluate the result
This is necessary to reduce the stress factor.For example, if a round high school student suddenly failed one exam, he is unlikely to be expelled from the institute for this. And certainly it will not be a shame. He just needs to retake the material, that's all.
3. keep calm
At the moment when there is a race for the perfect result, immediately stop, abstract from the situation and take a couple of deep breaths. Now continue to work.
Итак, мы рассказали вам о таком явлении, как perfectionism: what it is, what are its signs and rules for dealing with it. Of course, the ideal is to strive, but as long as it does not harm your mental health.
