CBT Research into Perfectionism - Case Study Example

Topic: CBT research into perfectionism Introduction Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a psychological approach that is founded on evidence and has been identified as useful in the treatment of numerous problems varying in nature (Nevid, 2009). Research has demonstrated that it has successful outcomes in the treatment of depression, anxiety conditions such as phobias, BPD and GAD, and other problems like psychosis, sexual issues and sleep difficulties (Hofmann & Reinecke, 2010). In this context, perfectionism can be a component in how problems develop and may also be an aspect that continues to fuel the problems. At its very basic level, Cognitive Behavior Therapy seeks to understand and make changes to thoughts, beliefs and behavior, which fuel the existence of problems (Herbert & Forman, 2011). In dealing with perfectionism, these cycles have to be identified with the aim of making changes that will result in the problem areas being reduced. CBT research into perfectionism Researchers consider perfectionism as belonging to a cluster of thoughts, behaviours and feelings that focus on the attainment of faultlessness and distinction, as well as in achievement of high standards regardless of the associated costs (Frost & Steketee, 2002). These attributes may appear at first glance as appropriate and useful when considered from a school or work point of view and in most cases, they are supported by the society (Egan & Wade, 2014). However, when this form of being is considered as a part of daily living, the results seem to be dysfunctional as the people who consider themselves to be perfectionists set targets that are difficult for them and others to achieve. People with this problem are often dissatisfied when they do not meet these expectations as they define their self-worth through attainment of their set standards. People who are associated with perfectionism are affected by self-doubt and can never be satisfied completely in a manner that will last (Hackfort & Tenenbaum, 2006). Perfectionists often fall into slippery slopes that involve their belief systems interfering with their activities including relationships and work. For instance, an individual with perfectionist characteristics may miss deadlines regularly as a result of their high work standards and may in numerous situations face writer’s block. A perfectionist individual also erodes his or her relationship with friends and family as he or she will start imposing the same impractical standards on the people who are important in their lives. Perfectionists in most instances continue to take part in the same actions regardless of the negative impact since they fear failure. The main motivation for their actions is to avoid the uncomfortable feelings linked to anticipations of failure through continuing to work towards their strong standards that only lead to fleeting reliefs (Schuler, 1999). In the situations where the behavior of the perfectionist is severe, the individual may be found to have a Compulsive Personality Disorder. In the recent times, a cognitive behavioural model that is associated with a highly particular type of perfectionism referred as clinical perfectionism was proposed (Stricker, Widiger & Weiner, 2003). The construction was developed from clinical observations in the process of treating patients suffering from eating disorders and especially refers to a dysfunctional form of perfectionism that is centred on the perfectionist. In this form of perfectionism, the person resolutely goes after self-imposed standards that are personally demanding regardless of the adverse impact associated with them. At the centre of this construct is the perception that the self-evaluation of the individual is mainly one sometimes exclusively reliant on pursuing and achieving their standards in terms of performance. A vital aspect of clinical perfectionism is not merely the fact that the person seeks high standards, instead, the consequences of not meeting these standards in terms of self-evaluation (Freeman, 2005). Based on this cognitive behavior account, a variety of maintaining mechanisms explains the persistence associated with clinical perfectionism along with behavior like checking and avoidance as well as cognitive factors like dichotomous thoughts that are operationalized as strict rules. This form of perfectionism is problematic in its own right and it has also been perceived to hinder effective treatment of Axis 1 disorders in the circumstances where the domain of clinical perfectionism overlaps with the disorder’s domain. Nonetheless, there have been controversies linked to this construct but there is total agreement that other types of perfectionisms like socially oriented perfectionism may also be associated with clinical issues (Boyle, Saklofske & Matthews, 2014). Therefore, the main aim of developing the construct of clinical perfectionism in particular is to identify the mechanisms that maintain it in order to develop a highly focused brief intervention in regard to clinical value. Some preliminary supported for this construct exists along with the cognitive-behavioural assessments, for instance, qualitative assessments have shown consistency with the conceptualization. In recent times, it has been found that self-criticism considerably account for the association between perfectionist measures and symptoms liked to depressive, anxiety and eating disorders. This is consistent with the perception that the self-evaluation is at the centre of perfectionism, instead of seeking high standards. Newly created cognitive behavioural interventions, which were derived from the analysis, have also been supported. For instance, in cases dealing with patients with eating disorders, it was found the cognitive behavior interventions for clinical perfectionism in particular is successful in reducing clinical perfectionism and binge eating. These cases significantly contribute to the literature concerning treating of perfectionism, which includes the study of therapy linked to focused emotion, psychodynamic therapy as well as cognitive behavioural therapy that includes cognitive behavior self-assistance (Maine, McGilley & Bunnell, 2010). In one of the trials for the treatment of perfectionism that were randomized, it was demonstrated that the eight sessions of guided self-assistance that employed the cognitive behavior manual developed by Anthony and Swinson (1998) was successful in the reduction of perfectionism in samples that were not of a clinical nature. Nonetheless, the cognitive behavioural treatment that has been recently developed particularly for clinical perfectionism needs more assessment through rigorous designs along with clinical participants. Therefore, current studies are focusing on the comparison of therapeutic impacts of Cognitive Behavioural Theory on clinical perfectionism together with investigation of the maintenance of the effects over specific periods. Conclusion Numerous different ways of conceptualizing perfectionism exist with one model that is considered as helpful particularly addressing negative self-evaluation when specific standards are not achieved, instead of the setting of ridiculously high standards. Therefore, seeking to achieve high standards is not considered as the problem, but importantly, the negative reaction to apparent failure is seen as the issue. In cases where the self-worth of an individual is completely reliant on the striving and achieving, this model recommends that standards be set in view of that while at the same time experiencing some kind of cognitive bias. People perceive their world and themselves differently and if they do not meet their standards, they become self-critical and this has an effect on their self-worth. Conversely, if individuals are able to successful achieve these standards their perfectionism re-evaluates them as being inadequately demanding and the response is setting even higher standards. Clinical perfectionism is a particular construction that is intended to capture the form of perfectionism that may often be problematic in day-to-day therapeutic practices. The main psychopathology associated with this form of perfectionism is an over assessment of achievements and striving that leads to considerable adverse effects (Egan & Wade, 2014). There have been implications of clinical perfectionism in the maintaining of psychopathology especially in eating disorder and a detailed cognitive behavioural intervention was created by Oxford Eating Disorders Research Group aimed at treating clinical perfectionism in disorders that include depression and anxiety among others. This intervention has received positive evaluation in controlled trials that were small and randomized and is a component of a wider Cognitive Behavioural Therapy intervention intended for eating disorders. References Antony M.M., & Swinson R.P. (1998). When perfect isn’t good enough: Strategies for coping with perfectionism. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Boyle, G., Saklofske, D., & Matthews, G. (2014). Measures of personality and social psychological constructs. London: Academic Press. Egan, S., & Wade, T. (2014). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Perfectionism. New York: Guilford Publications. Freeman, A. (2005). Encyclopedia of cognitive behavior therapy. New York: Springer. Frost, R., & Steketee, G. (2002). Cognitive approaches to obsessions and compulsions. Amsterdam: Pergamon. Hackfort, D., & Tenenbaum, G. (2006). Essential processes for attaining peak performance. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer Sport. Herbert, J., & Forman, E. (2011). Acceptance and mindfulness in cognitive behavior therapy. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. Hofmann, S., & Reinecke, M. (2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy with adults. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Maine, M., McGilley, B., & Bunnell, D. (2010). Treatment of eating disorders. Amsterdam: Academic Press/Elsevier. Nevid, J. (2009). Psychology. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Schuler, P. (1999). Voices of perfectionism. [Storrs, CT]: National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. Stricker, G., Widiger, T., & Weiner, I. (2003). Handbook of psychology. New York: Wiley. Read More