Transforming Malignant Perfectionism and Encouraging Flexibility

Abstract

People with perfectionism are vulnerable to depression. If a student believes they must be perfect and has a harsh, ruminating type of self-criticism, they will develop a negative mood. This chapter centers on a perfectionistic teen and how cognitive behavior therapy was used to help her and her parents. Perfectionism also leads to procrastination, and both can create major problems in college. There are two types of perfectionism, maladaptive and adaptive. Adaptive perfectionism involves keeping high standards but having less pressure, self-criticism, and rigid rules. The concept of the growth mindset is introduced, with the goal of seeing education as an opportunity rather than an all-or-none road to individual success.