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Perfectionism
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Perfectionism

Abstract

Perfectionism is a personality trait involving rigid adherence to unrealistically high standards for the self and others. Perfectionism is maladaptive when the pursuit of impossible standards leads to clinically significant distress and impairment. Cognitive features of perfectionism include distorted attitudes about the self or others, maladaptive social comparisons, and self-evaluation based on performance rather than self-acceptance. Behavioral features of perfectionism involve completing tasks according to precise standards, avoidance, procrastination, self-control strategies, and excessive checking for mistakes. Perfectionism has been found to play a role in the development and maintenance of a number of psychological disorders including anxiety disorders, OCPD, depression, and eating disorders. Current assessment measures view perfectionism as a multidimensional construct. Research on the effectiveness of CBT specifically for perfectionism is limited. A CBT protocol for treating maladaptive perfectionism is presented.

Authors

Antony MM; McCabe RE

Book title

Encyclopedia of Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Pagination

pp. 273-277

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publication Date

January 1, 2005

DOI

10.1007/0-306-48581-8_77
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