PERFECTIONISM

My published book Perfectionism - The Way We Live Today is available to purchase - please contact me at drdavidbaker@icloud.com

“When a man says he is perfect already, there is only one of two places for him, and that is heaven or the lunatic asylum”  Henry Ward Beecher 1887.

PART ONE

In all the years I have been practicing not one client has arrived in my clinic complaining of perfectionism. If you suffer with perfectionism, make an appointment to see me at my clinic.

I also run workshops on the topic and I have published on the subject.

Perfectionism has been linked with many psychological disturbances.

Here’s a useful link for you to have a look at too.

Studies show perfectionists terminate therapy prematurely.

My research suggested why this is the case and my clinical intervention is designed to prevent this happening.

Perfectionism has also been linked to suicides and suicidal thoughts.

Perfectionists are often the best of us and are dedicated hard working individuals.

PART TWO

DOES YOUR PERFECTIONISM DRAG YOU DOWN AND UPSET THOSE AROUND YOU TOO !

IF YOU SUFFER WITH PERFECTIONISM I CAN HELP YOU. CONTACT ME.

If you work in an organisation, or university where perfectionism is affecting the workforce contact me.

“Sufferers of perfectionism are driven by some unarticulated belief that they have to perform certain tasks to be acceptable individuals – a recipe for psychological distress and disturbance”.  David Baker 2012.

Medical doctors, university students, police officers, accountants, teachers…These are just a few of the sufferers with perfectionism which Dr David Baker has seen in his clinic over the years and who were subjects in his extensive research starting over 15 years ago.

 “Perfectionists surrender their fundamental rights to unconditional acceptance” David Baker 2000.

Perfectionism remains the Cinderella in the therapy room yet increasingly it is recognised as a generator of psychological disturbance in the workplace, in the home, and in relationships.  Perfectionism is recognised as a significant element in many unhealthy emotions such as anxiety, depression and is named as the villain in OCD and eating disorders.

David’s research into perfectionism led to the award of his PhD in 2012 and subsequently he has developed workshops and clinical interventions, which are focused and efficient.

David has also published a therapy book for sufferers and careers.

In what ways is this book on perfectionism the same as, and yet different from, many others dealing with the phenomena?

It draws on the treasure of 50 years plus theoretical observations and research, and the interventions following a general CBT framework. The central features of the therapy utilises the results from the first ‘field study’ to use a form of grounded theory to interview sufferers of perfectionism, which resulted in a clinically useful theory of ‘bad’ perfectionism which was just sufficient and necessary to describe its fundamentals.

It differs from many other attempts at clinical intervention for perfectionism because it attempts to capture the very essence of what sufferers have said about their experience of perfectionism and to combine traditional CBT with a wider philosophical perspective about how individuals can find meaning in their lives in the face of pressures of a ‘modern’ way of living.

The book challenges the reader to examine the history of their perfectionism, the disruption it causes them and those around them, whilst at the same time actively pursuing goals and aspirations as intently as they would wish.

It provides an essential definition of bad perfectionism, which if used by the sufferer to challenge and change their thinking, will lead to a better and more contented life.

In the 21st century our society relies on those with perfectionistic intent hey are often the best of us, but if combined with conditional worth, perfectionism all too often becomes self-destructive.

Only those who suffer with perfectionism and read the book will be able to judge whether three decades of clinical work, applied research reflecting the personal accounts of sufferers, and extensive recourse to the treasures of previous researchers and theorists on the topic, has led to authenticity and a useful clinical approach.

INTRODUCING MEPHI

In my book I've drawn an image for our unconscious which I've called Mephi. The idea of the name came from the song 'Wrapped around your Finger' from the album Synchronicity by the group Police. "Mephistopheles is your name but we know what you are up to just the same."  The trouble is we do not know what our unconscious is up to so Mephi becomes the driver for misery in perfectionism and other emotional and psychological disturbances too. In ancient legend Mephistopheles is a devil who temp people into bad ideas or bad behaviours.

FEEDBACK

Dear David,

I just had to write to congratulate you on your wonderful book.

It is truly refreshing to get your hands on work which is both insightful and clearly written. And one which can be put into clinical practice with a minimum of fuss. 

In fact I've read it 3 times, so I've got a good grasp of it at last. For me, I thought the two chapters 8 and 9 were super - the nuts and bolts of it if you like. Also, the way the issue of perfectionism is placed against its very own "core cognitive structure". You've shown how the perfectionism almost merges into the persons mind till they become practically one and the same !! 

Jim Mcgonigle

Therapist Northern Island.