Aiming for Perfection can Trigger Suicidal Tendencies: Study

Trying real hard to be perfect can make people feel suicidal, finds a study.

Having perfection in every aspect of life sure sounds appealing but, is unrealistic and mentally taxing. A new research found another reason why aiming for perfection is really bad.  Psychologists from York University discovered 'perfectionism' is a potential risk for suicide and individuals obsessed with making their lives really perfect must be counselled and informed to prevent self-destructive tendencies. Their study highlights how lawyers, doctors and architects emphasize greatly on having perfection to achieve goals and leadership.

The authors believe in the past many personalities who strived for perfection ended their lives by committing suicide. Moreover, the need to fit in and conform to the society by appearing perfect and concealing problems fearing stigma will eventually lead to hopelessness, desperation and suicide. In addition, the study noted suicidal thoughts occur unexpectedly and even during such state, many perfectionists flawlessly design their suicide plans, reports the Business Standard.

"There is an urgent need for looking at perfectionism with a person-centred approach as an individual and societal risk factor, when formulating clinical guidelines for suicide risk assessment and intervention, as well as public health approaches to suicide prevention," said Gordon Flett, study author and professor of psychology at the York University in a news release.

"We summarize data showing consistent links between perfectionism and hopelessness and discuss the need for an individualized approach that recognizes the heightened risk for perfectionists. They also tend to experience hopelessness, psychological pain, life stress, overgeneralization, and a form of emotional perfectionism that restricts the willingness to disclose suicidal urges and intentions," he adds.

According to the 2012 data by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40,000 North Americans commit suicide every year. Majority of these cases are a result of chronic depression, pressures in everyday life and mental disturbances.

More information is available online in the Journal of American Psychological Association and Review of General Psychology.