Inside Mental Health Hiding Depression: Using Perfectionism to Hide Our Struggles
Oct 10, 2019
Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience and author of 'Perfectly Hidden Depression,' sheds light on the hidden struggles of perfectionists. She discusses how some individuals mask their depression with positivity while feeling increasingly isolated. Rutherford highlights the traits that link perfectionism and hidden depression, and shares her unique five-stage therapy model aimed at unlocking emotional truths. With poignant examples, she emphasizes that vulnerability is crucial for overcoming shame and building resilience.
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Depression Can Be Perfectly Hidden
- Many depressed people present as high-functioning and can hide symptoms behind a competent exterior.
- Some never recognize their depression because their coping became automatic and unconscious.
Shame Fuels Perfectionism
- Perfectionism often stems from shame and creates relentless self-criticism and over-responsibility.
- That shame-driven perfectionism fuels hiding pain and refusing to acknowledge vulnerability.
Perfectionism, Control, And Comorbid Disorders
- Research links perfectionism with depression and even suicide, and it often co-occurs with disorders centered on control.
- Perfectionists are typically rational, task-focused, and avoid emotional intimacy, which worsens isolation.
