About Perfectionism OCD
Perfectionism OCD (also known as Perfectionist Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) where individuals experience intense, intrusive thoughts and behaviors related to achieving perfection or avoiding imperfection. People with perfectionism OCD often have an excessive need for things to be “just right,” and this can cause significant anxiety, distress, and time-consuming rituals to ensure that their environment, actions, or thoughts meet their very high standards. In the case of perfectionism OCD, the obsessions typically revolve around the fear of making mistakes, being imperfect, or not meeting one’s own standards. These thoughts can be focused on any area of life—work, relationships, personal appearance, or household tasks among others. To alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts, individuals with perfectionism OCD engage in compulsive behaviors. These behaviors can be both physical and mental and are intended to prevent mistakes or ensure that everything is “just right.” However, even after performing the compulsions, the individual might still feel dissatisfied or anxious. One of the hallmark features of perfectionism OCD is a fear of making mistakes. Even small errors can feel catastrophic, leading to a heightened sense of anxiety. This fear can also be accompanied by a deep discomfort with uncertainty, as the person may feel they need to be absolutely certain that everything is correct.
