The Role of Self-Deception in Perfectionism
In a previous post I sang the praises of healthy perfectionism and described how we...
Compulsives In Relationships
5 Unintended Effects of Type A Parenting
If you’re a Type A, driven, perfectionist, high-achieving, or obsessive-compulsive parent, you’re probably just as...
Differences Between Narcissistic Personality & OCPD
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) have some similarities that can make...
How Self Control and Inhibited Expression Hurt Relationships
Self control does have some benefits for relationships. But it also has dangers. If your self-restraint keeps you from expressing positive and intimate feelings, it may leave your partner feeling disconnected and unloved, which doesn’t encourage them to express their feelings either, and then things start to go downhill quickly. But if you can be more intentional in using your self control to actually express more, the relationship is more likely to thrive.
Does Avoidant Attachment Cause Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?
According to a study published in 2017, if you have avoidant attachment, that is, if...
Being Frugal: Good Self-Care or Too Emotionally Expensive?
Being frugal can either enhance or undermine our well-being. Depending on why we do it...
People Pleasing, Resentment, & Other Relationship Killers
People pleasing and obsessive-compulsive personality occur together far more than many might think. Some people put all their determination and perfectionism into making other people happy with the assumption that it will come back to them in love, support or affirmation. It often does not happen that way.
Seven Ways to Achieve More Flexibility in Your Relationships
Compulsives and perfectionists often feel responsible for making sure that things don’t go wrong. We’re naturally more meticulous, future-oriented, and risk averse. And all of those tendencies serve a very important function in relationships. But we need to be smart about how we use these tendencies. Without flexibility, they hurt more than help.
How Compulsive Perfectionists Can Cultivate Happiness
Our North American culture has become obsessed with happiness and has made itself miserable in...
How to Let Go Without Giving Up
I often write about how essential it is for perfectionists and compulsives to let go...
The Healthy Compulsive book is now available in paperback in addition to hardcover and e-book format:
Healthy Compulsive Book
If you’d like to use your time in psychotherapy more effectively, check out my book on therapy.
