Impact of maladaptive perfectionism on mental health and the role of cognitive behavioral therapy: a narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2025.v15.1452Keywords:
Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychological distress, mental health, perfectionismAbstract
Perfectionism is a personality trait that can be strongly valued in many professional environments, such as the medical field. However, when maladaptive, is potentially harmful to the mental and physical health of individuals. In addition, it should be considered that, under a transdiagnostic approach to psychiatry, perfectionism can be a factor in psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. In addition, clinical perfectionism correlates with social disconnection, rumination, low levels of self-confidence, depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as self-harm and suicidal ideation. Therefore, identifying maladaptive perfectionist behaviors in psychiatric patients can enable a more comprehensive approach to these patients, ultimately contributing to a reduction in their mental suffering. In this context, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy has established itself as the main approach for the prevention, early intervention and transdiagnostic treatment of patients affected by maladaptive perfectionism.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Karen Regina Rosso Schons, Alexei Gil, Bruna Natalie Dacroce Fasolo, Luiza Martins Barbosa, Marina Pimentel Beber de Mattos, Vinicius Ferreira Lacerda dos Santos
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