The Critical Thinking Traps in Perfectionism

Key points

Perfectionists often unfairly place the burden of proof onto others to prove that they're worthy.

Perfectionists' beliefs about themselves are often based on distorted thinking patterns.

Perfectionists can learn cognitive flexibility, which may entail holding multiple conflicting beliefs at once.

While each of us is the center of our own universe, sometimes, our judgments of ourselves should be de-emphasized, especially when they’re based on unrealistic standards.

Perfectionists tend to believe that others hold them to the same standard they hold themselves to. As a result, they often struggle with severe social anxiety , expecting rejection.

In my work with perfectionists, I've found that many of my patients place the burden of proof on me, as they do with their loved