The Anxious Perfectionist: How to Manage Perfectionism-Driven Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Clarissa W. Ong, Michael P. Twohig, Randy Frost (Foreword)

Published: March 1st 2022

Publisher: New Harbinger Publications

Length: 152 pages

My Rating: 4 stars

Blurb:

If you identify as a perfectionist, you may not see your perfectionism as a problem. But striving for unrealistic standards, basing your self-worth on meeting those standards, and engaging in persistent self-criticism will ultimately lead to anxiety, stress, worry, burnout, and unhappiness. So, how can you distinguish between “helpful” and “hurtful” perfectionism and stop holding yourself and others to unrealistically high standards?

Written by two clinical psychologists, Perfectly Anxious shines a much-needed light on the hidden costs of “being the best,” and offers essential skills based in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you cope with the anxiety that is driven by your perfectionism. You’ll learn how your “need to be perfect” can actually hinder your productivity, and keep you from reaching your goals. You’ll also learn skills to help you gain distance from negative self-talk and criticism, let go of unhelpful and self-limiting labels such as “success” or “failure,” and give yourself and others permission to make mistakes while still honoring your high aspirations.

If you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety and stress, and suspect your perfectionism may be to blame, this guide will show you how to stop getting in the way of your own success, and live a life guided by your deepest values

My Review:

I have read quite a few anxiety self help books recently as it is one of the main issue people present to therapy with. I often get asked about books to read outside of therapy to help refresh some of the skills we’ve talked about. This particular book focuses on “acceptance and commitment therapy” (ACT) as a treatment for anxiety driven by the need to be perfect. This is a book I would recommend to someone with this presenting issue.

This book isn’t going to help cure your anxiety but as a tool to help you remember/refresh skills its a great resource. It is a great length, long enough to cover a lot but not too long to bore you.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.