ABSTRACT
‘Perfectionism’ is a personality style that confers a strong predisposition to burnout and can hamper recovery from the syndrome. This chapter examines the various ‘building blocks’ of perfectionism and the underlying beliefs, assumptions and imagined consequences that drive the maintaining of such unrelenting standards. Our Perfectionism Scale in Appendix C is a self-rating measure that can indicate ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘distinct’ levels of perfectionism in an individual. Therapists observe that it can be difficult to get people with high levels of perfectionism to acknowledge that the source of their discontent may not be their boss, the economy or the shortcomings of their partner but, instead, their own outlook. Such traits can be difficult to modify: they are deeply rooted and protective. Strategies to modify perfectionism involve cognitive interventions deployed to challenge distorted perceptions of self-worth, and to modulate unhealthy standards of performance as well as irrational, inflexible thinking and beliefs that prevent change. The chapter provides some examples of relevant strategies in action. Of equal importance, behaviour change, in the form of exposure and behavioural experiments, provides the opportunity to disconfirm beliefs and assumptions.
