Depression and Perfectionism
Depression and Perfectionism
When being the best gets the best of you…
Depression and Perfectionism… when being the best gets the best of you.
Are you someone who struggles with depression? Are you a perfectionist? There might be a correlation.
The Perfectionism and Depression of Taylor Bucholz
Taylor Bucholz was a major league pitcher who had to quit due to his perfectionism and depression. From the article in the Delaware County Daily Times it says...
For much of the past two years, he has put up a false front. A façade of a happy-go-lucky major league relief pitcher who loved the sport he had played since he was a 5-year-old in the Springfield Athletic Association.
“It was all a big lie,” Buchholz said. “I put this fake smile on and pretended everything was all right until I finally just cracked and said, ‘I need to get help.’ I hit a wall. There was something truly wrong with me.”
Buchholz, 30, has been diagnosed with a form of depression. He also suffers from an anxiety disorder.Both issues manifested into a perfect storm for Buchholz, a perfectionist who was recovering from a long-term injury.“
Being a perfectionist is a double-edged sword,” said Buchholz, a Daily Times Player of the Year as a Springfield High senior in 2000. “You have to be one, to an extent, to succeed on that level. But I let that take over. Perfectionism led to a downward spiral for me.”
Perfectionism's Downward Spiral
Has perfectionism led to a downward spiral for you? Are you afraid of not measuring up? Are you afraid of not being as good as yesterday's performance followed by a crushing depression and then anger at yourself for not living up to your expectations?
What would life be like if you could come out from under the weight of those expectations? That's what God offers you; the ability to walk away from that load.
Finding God’s Unconditional Acceptance
When you are convinced of your worth in God's eyes you no longer have to live under that burden. You finally understand that you are accepted…unconditionally. You aren't a disappointment to Him. You are your Father's child and no one can take that away from you. He accepts you with all your flaws. You can do the same.
This sense of acceptance is what can release you from the weight of perfectionism. But like Taylor, you have to stop and get help. It’s a process. It will take some work. Something wired your perfectionistic ways. Maybe it’s time to assess how that came about and how you can let that go.
Question:How has perfectionism led to a downward spiral for you?
Click the home page link above to learn more about my books, coaching, consulting and to subscribe to this blog. New subscribers receive a free sample chapter of my book STUCK...how to overcome your anger and find forgiveness.
this post is an updated and revised post from 2012