Being a perfectionist can be disastrous for your health

July 13th, 2010 - 7:58 pm ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

New York, July 13 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A new research has found that perfectionists unknowingly take a toll on their health, with their ways.

Perfectionists strive for the best in everything they do. They do not allow anything pass without examining it somewhat critically. The researchers who studied perfectionist’s personality traits said that those who try to be perfect risk dying early and they have poor physical health as well.

The finding is understandable considering the fact that humans have many flaws. The mental agony that perfectionists go through in denying they have these imperfections makes them prone to dying early.

Psychologists’ say the perfectionists feel ‘ashamed’ to ask for help even when they have mental problems. They say that they conceal their problems to avoid exposing their imperfect self.

The research followed the lives of 450 people from the age of 65 and upwards. Researchers did initial investigation of the participants to determine whether they were perfectionists or not, before they studied the subjects for the period of 6 and a half years.

After the period of study, it was deduced that those with high levels of perfectionism were 51 percent more likely to die earlier than those who were not.

However researchers say they need more research before they can come out with their conclusions.

Related Stories

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Health |

Subscribe