Perfectionism involves setting unrelenting standards for yourself. If you do meet those standards, you rarely feel relief. In fact, you often may just set your next goal. Your sense of self is very tied to what you achieve.

Perfectionism can impact all areas of life. It can impact your grades, work life, how you see your appearance, how you entertain, exercise, clean and manage finances.

Perfectionism a coping strategy to keep yourself safe, often from feeling not good enough, to stay connected and loved by other people or to prevent something bad happening to you.

Side effects of perfectionism can include feeling exhausted, having trouble resting and relaxing, feeling emotionally inhibited, having substance use difficulties and interpersonal difficulties (people around you feeling like nothing they do is good enough).