When Perfect Becomes Problematic: Perfectionism and More

Available with English captions.

Children grow up with all kinds of incentives to strive for perfection—from the encouragement of adults to the recognition and personal pride that can follow great achievement.

There’s no question that this drive often serves kids and teens well. But, taken too far, it can also create serious mental health challenges for them, including anxiety, depression, and avoidance behavior.

So how can health care professionals, parents, educators, and others help adolescents find a balance between chasing worthwhile goals and taking care of themselves? What are the key signs of emerging perfectionism and related disorders? And when is professional help warranted?

Audience Questions

R. Meredith Elkins, PhD, explains what sets adolescent perfectionism apart from healthy pursuits to excel, explores the short- and long-term impacts of unaddressed perfectionism, and answers audience questions about evidence-based treatment options.

  • What is perfectionism?
  • Is perfectionism a mental health condition on its own?
  • Is perfectionism a personality trait?
  • What do we know about the prevalence of perfectionism?
  • What are some of the causes of perfectionism? Is it genetic?
  • How does the prevalence of perfectionism relate to the speed of today’s world?
  • How does maladaptive perfectionism differ from adaptive perfectionism?
  • How does focusing on the outcome rather than the process play into this discussion?
  • What are the three primary categories of perfectionism?
  • What are some red flags of perfectionism to look out for?
  • What are some of the longer-term impacts of unhealthy perfectionism?
  • How is perfectionism treated?
  • How can parents and educators help students push through the fear of messing up?
  • How can parents work with school staff to help children navigate the pressures of school?
  • What does research say about the impacts of participation trophies?
  • How can parents model healthy ways to address perfectionistic tendencies?
  • Can patients become perfectionistic with the treatment process itself?
  • Is it common for adolescents with perfectionistic tendencies to have difficulty with friendships?
  • Are there connections between perfectionistic tendencies and substance use disorders?

The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.

Resources

You may also find this information useful:

About Dr. Elkins

R. Meredith Elkins, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety, mood, and related disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is experienced in providing evidence-based interventions through individual, group, family, and behavioral parent training formats.

Dr. Elkins is currently a program director at the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program, an intensive group-based outpatient program for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and OCD.

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