Perfectionism and Eating Disorders Essay -- Self Image Esteem Health P

Perfectionism and Eating Disorders Many essential pressures exist in modern society which instantaneously affect a large number of the population to the point of extremity. In an age of senior high school technology, rapid development, and intense social pressure, the pressure to be the take up of the best prevails. Many people succumb to the pressure in a change of ways, some beneficial, and some detrimental. Eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa in part result from an intense pressure to achieve the meliorate high-minded body weight and physical appearance. Emphasis on being perfect begins early in childhood and continues to grow with age, sometimes so often that a personality takes on a perfectionistic drive affecting every(prenominal) aspect of daily life. Perfectionism is a common individualized personality sign which in part stems from this ardent cultural pressure. According to the Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary, perfectionism is defin e as a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable. Given this definition, is this trait, perfectionism, one that can be directly joined to those people who suffer from eating disorders? II. Perfectionism A Closer Look mountain high and demanding goals of achievement for oneself can be both a prescribed and negative experience. Yes, goals are important and essential in life to forgo us to work for an ultimate high achievement. They give one mapping and drive. But what happens when this goal exceeds the normal realm of possibility to the point that it directly changes from a means for a self-actualizing strive for excellence to a neurotic, psychoneurotic preoccupation with perfection? Roedell (1984) continues the argument that perfectionism can be looked upon as bo... ... (1 994). Perfectionism and the gifted. Roeper examine (I 7)3, 173-176.Pigott, T.A., Altemus, M., Rubenstein, C.S., Hill,J.L., Bihari, K., LHeureux, F., Bernstein, S., Murphy D.L. (1991 ). Symptoms of eating disorders in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 148(11), 1552-7.Roedell, W.C. (1984). Vulnerabilities of passing gifted children. Roeper Review, 6(3), 127-130.Rothenburg, A. (1990). Adolescence and eating disorder the obsessive-compulsive syndrome. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 13(3), 469-88.Slade, P.D. Newton, T., Butler, N.M., Murphy, P. (1991) An observational analysis of perfectionism and dissatisfaction. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 30(Pt2), 169-76. Silverman, L.K. (I 99 5). Perfectionism. Paper discussed at the 1 1 th World Conference on quick-witted and Talented Children, Honk Kong.