Perfection: The not good enough self.
Perfectionism presents in both positive and negative, or adaptive and maladaptive forms. The disability of perfectionism might be understood as the compulsion to consistently achieve at impossible levels. New, expanding research examines the myriad factors associated with disabling perfectionism, positive perfectionism and their relationships. There may also be cultural facors which promote perfectionistic responses, such as anorexia, in some who are already vulnerable for developmental reasons. Perfectionism appears to be most strongly promoted by parent-child relationships which centre on control, criticism and conditional approval and love. The child can never feel "good enough." As part of an overview of this condition, a clinical case will illustrate the proposed genesis, progress and treatment of perfectionism.
