Perfectionism and depression

[jlpsport]

I'm in a 3 month battle with depression. My overall mood, work ethic, ambition in life have all decreased in the past 3 months. I suffered a similar bout about 10 years ago. At times I have felt crippled, worthless, sad and even angry.

I'm working to resolve my symptoms of depression with a therapist which is helping. Just this week I really feel as if my depression is caused by my perfectionism. Yes I'm type A and am well aware of that. I recently turned 30 and would like to improve the quality of my life and find a fullfilling relationship. Does anybody have any suggestions in managing my "perfectionism traits"? Thanks for any suggestions.

[jlpsport]

Thank you for your suggestions. Our lives sound very similar as it probably does for most Type A people. Keep up the good work in your own life with not sweating the small things.

[mammo]

Forgot to add that I suffered and still do from depression and anxiety, but have a wonderful life.  I do take medication (not much) and a lot has to do with me not worrying about small things, and feeling the need to make everything and everyone perfect.  I think my depression lingers from the loss of my son and grandson.  Depression can rob us of our happiness, motivation......everything.  With help you can turn this around, and will.  Best of luck!

[mammo]

I think Type A's are perfectionists. I used to be one as well, and realized it was a bit of OCD with having to have everything perfect and tiresome! This was me diagnosing myself LOL...but it worked.  I even washed my babies hightops (aging myself) shoestrings and polished their shoes every night, even ironed the ribbom around their blankets, because everything had to be perfect....it's maddening! I started with very small things, that I would allow to be "not perfect."  Try it with things that you can let go and not stress too much over. I would skip a day of dusting the house, which was a big deal for me.  Towel not hanging perfectly staright...walk past it, things like this and then move on to bigger things.  I'm not saying to not care, and let everything go but to relax in knowing some things can wait.  Trust me, when you don't feel everything has to be perfect you feel so free, and less stressed.  Spend more time on things you are passionate about and enjoy doing.  As for work, I am still a perfectionist, I think a company deserves the best we can give them.  We have our own business, but that's a big part of why we have had a successful business for 27 years. Wanting perfectionism can snowball on you, and the next thing you know, you expect everyone in your life to be perfect, when this is not even realistic or fair to anyone.  I came to realize that my "perfectionism" came from things in my childhood that I had no control of, and now I could control my life.  Again, me playing doctor..LOL  But it was an awakening that I had to face and it all made sense to me.  Eventually I just thought, I can stiill have control without needing everything to be perfect. I hope this makes some sense to you and helps.  I know it can be exhausting for us in trying to keep everything perfect all the time.  There are better and more fun places to put all this energy.  You will get over this with help, and I wish you all the best.  Take care!