Is Your Perfectionism a Problem?
We talk about the different kinds of perfectionism with experts who can help you keep it in check.
August 15, 2025
55 min
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2,955 of 3,393
August 15, 2025
Is Your Perfectionism a Problem?
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Is Your Perfectionism a Problem?
Summary
On the surface, being a perfectionist may not seem so bad. What’s wrong with wanting straight A’s or an impeccable home or conflict-free relationships? But, therapists have long warned that not managing perfectionism properly can lead to anxiety, depression and a wide range of other problems. Perfectionism manifests in various ways. Sometimes people expect themselves to be perfect or feel like they will never be good enough for others. Sometimes they expect the people around them to be perfect and end up disappointed. We’ll talk about the different kinds of perfectionism with experts who can help you keep it in check.
Guests:
Leslie Jamison, author; her recent article in The New Yorker is titled, "The Pain of Perfectionism" - her books include "Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story" and "The Empathy Exams"
Sahaj Kaur Kohli, therapist, writer, speaker, and founder, Brown Girl Therapy; author of the book, "But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures"
Angela Li, licensed clinical psychologist, Based in San Francisco
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