Eating Disorders and Perfectionism Linked
Unreasonably High Standards Set the Stage for Anorexia and Bulimia
Dec 10, 2008
Over recent years studies have been conducted to determine what, if any role perfectionism plays in the development of an eating disorder, as well as the ability to recover and maintain recovery from an eating disorder.
Studies strongly suggest that perfectionism is a strong characteristic associated with patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and bulimia with purging; however, not so much associated with binge eating or nonspecific eating disorder diagnosis.
Negative Consequences to Perfectionism
There are a number of self-stifling impediments as a result of an internal belief system built around the core of perfectionism, two diagnoses of which are, anorexia nervosa and bulimia with purging. The need to be perfect in these two eating disorders becomes translated into possessing the perfect, ideal image.
The Obsessive-Compulsive Nature of Perfectionism
What exactly is perfectionism? No flaw, or any negative characteristic blackening a blemish-free ideal. One must be the best. Failures or mistakes at any level are not options. There is no flexibility or recognition that being number one is not always possible, in whatever status number one is relative to.
It is the delusional thinking that there must be no mistakes in the community or the individual. Perfectionism becomes the definition of individual worth. "If I am not perfect, I am not worth anything."
Perfectionism can cripple an individual's attempts to try new things for the fear of failure. "If I can't be number one, or succeed with no faults, I just won't try," or, "I'll never be able to satisfy them (the expectations of others), so I won't bother."
These kinds of negative, repeating messages can lead to an obsession about the matter(s) and then to compulsive behaviors designed to cope with the messages and reality. Unfortunately, since the negative messages are self-defeating, so are the consequential behaviors.
Changing the Delusion
Truth of the matter is, perfection in the real world does not exist. There is no such creature. Yes, there can be high ideals, there can be a striving to meet those ideals, but in that striving there may be set-backs, mistakes and wrongs. Accepting this concept is step number one.
Step number two is to identify the negative thinking patterns that contribute to the perfectionistic delusion and counteracting them with realistic phrases and realistic consequential behaviors. Keeping a journal of perfectionistic thinking or making collages with the same theme can help with the identification process.
Step number three is changing the behaviors. Thinking and behaviors are interlinked. As the thinking changes, the behaviors will change and, over time, the internal belief system will change as well, or, at the very least, become more pliable/flexible.
Step number four, be realistic. Chances are, if perfectionism has been a lifestyle for a considerable period of time, the help of someone whose judgment is solid, who is not perfectionistic, would be helpful.
It would be highly unlikely that a surgeon who needed an appendectomy would operate on himself.
Perfectionism over time, if not addressed, can grow beyond the irrational stage into the delusional stage. If there is any question, the evaluation of a trained, licensed professional would be the the path to take.
Start adapting healthy notions to include, "I can feel good about myself and who I am without being perfect. Other people will accept me for who I am without being perfect. I can be successful in life without perfectionism."
Sources
Note to the Reader: The information presented within this article is not designed to treat any condition. If there are any questions, please seek help from a trained, qualified, professional.
