This form of OCD is often characterized by needing things to be done perfectly or correctly.
It can lead to intense obsessions and checking behaviors.
People also experience feelings of anxiety about what will happen if things are not perfect.
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Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between OCD and perfectionism and what you might do to cope.
What Is Perfectionism?
Before we talk about perfectionism andOCD, it’s important to define perfectionism.
Some perfectionism can be helpful, making you more conscientious and goal-directed.
Research on perfectionism has indicated that there aretwo main types of perfectionism: adaptive/health perfectionism and maladaptive/unhealthy perfectionism.
Tied to this is the excessive fear of making a catastrophic mistake.
This can make you feel even worse and less self-confident which can then worsen checking behaviors.
This causes you to monitor the thought even more closely, which can help to create an obsession.
Coping With OCD Perfectionism
What can you do to cope with OCD perfectionism?
The first step is to recognize OCD in yourself as well as your perfectionistic tendencies.
There are a few things that can work particularly well in coping.
Adopt a Mindful Stance
Mindfulnessemphasizes being less “invested” in our thoughts.
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
Techniques often used incognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)can also be helpful.
Cognitive therapy can also be a useful tool for critically examining the beliefs we hold about ourselves and others.
By working with a therapist, you might learn to identify and change these unhealthy beliefs and behaviors.
This is your capacity to tolerate a loss of control.
Whateverpersonality traitsa person has can come to play in the disorder.
Click below to listen now.
A therapist can help you navigate your journey through life with OCD.
Bieling PJ, Israeli AL, Antony MM.Is perfectionism good, bad, or both?
Hood HK, Antony MM.Treatment of perfectionism-related obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In: Storch EA, Lewin AB, eds.Clinical Handbook of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.
2019;16(1):53-61.
2018;21(11):1007-1013. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy079
