What Is Perfectionism?

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Other-oriented perfectionism often entails extreme demands of others.

Perfectionists may struggle with mental health disorders and often find empathy and aid lacking.

Underlying their resentments toward others is often a deeper resentment of an inconsiderate universe.

Perfectionism often entails a battle with the universe. Much of the perfectionist’s resentment toward others can be thought of as a resentment toward life. Some perfectionists have autism, while others may meet the diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personalities. Many of them have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Unfortunately, the world often isn’t accommodating. It’s a trope that narcissistically-structured people resent others for not admiring their genius. Even with an increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder, autistic people frequently feel judged and/or misunderstood. And compulsive tendencies are still dismissed with comments like, “Why can’t you just stop?”

At the heart of perfectionism, whether right or wrong, is a sense of order or justice. While many of these individuals present with the appearance of moral superiority, many also attempt to apply the notion of fairness across the board, exhibiting deep empathy for others. Perfectionists can be incredibly self-centered and stubborn, yet their fixation on rules also makes them, at least at times, moral leaders. However, while their insistence on rule-following is commendable, they also tend to........

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