In a quite intriguing conversation, I was talking to a friend who explained she was procrastinating on a home painting project. I asked her if she was a perfectionist and she emphatically exclaimed, “Yes!” We sat down and talked about how her perfectionism was usually an asset in her work as a writer, where details are very important. But when it comes to getting non work-related projects done such as cleaning her house, she told me that she often procrastinates because she wants it perfect despite knowing deep down that this is not realistic. She also explained to me that this can even lead to these types of chores not being completed due to the level of wanting to look how she envisions in her head.
I felt strong sympathy for her, as this reminded me of important information I obtained while studying cognitive behavior back in my college days. I was aware that her perfectionism was an example of deeper cognitive function.
Perfectionism and procrastination are two examples of cognitive errors that can be frustrating for oneself, friends, family, and co-workers.
Cognitive errors are faulty or inaccurate thinking patterns, perceptions, or beliefs. Certain personality types are prone to certain cognitive errors.
When we are in a good mood, these flaws show up less often. When we are stressed or otherwise feeling unwell, they show up more frequently. Had my friend been in a really good place and feeling confident, creative and care free, she may have tackled her painting project and let the perfectionism go. But on a day where she is unsure of herself or lacking confidence, she may have the expectation of perfectionism. This can be compounded by the fact that her detail oriented personality serves her well in a career where accuracy is vital. She may embrace her perfectionistic tendencies at work. She may be celebrated for that quality. But at work, someone is there to say “good enough” or “accurate enough”. Outside of work, it can be easy to get in our own heads and put more expectations than necessary on ourselves.
In mental health, we look at personality and cognitive errors in our diagnostic process. After all, the number one treatment modality is Cognitive Behavior Therapy where we guide our clients to think more accurately and fairly about themselves and their situations. For example, if we change our thinking patterns around perfectionism to be more realistic and fair to ourselves, we are more likely to tackle that project.
Where it all started?
When I first went to school to become a mental health professional, one of our classes was on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). We read case study after case study to learn how to properly diagnose a client struggling with their mental health. The main purpose being to better understand them and develop an effective treatment plan to help the clients improve.
Throughout our history, mental health professionals have struggled with a pathology orientated diagnosis driving their treatment.
While diagnosis is an important aspect of treatment planning, we also learned to look for strengths that our client may build upon. We developed Strengths Based Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy that helped our clients and us, as professionals, define them in less pathological terms.
We wanted to embrace the fact that we all have good days and bad days that can influence whether a cognitive error is influencing our attitudes and actions negatively. In other words, if someone has a cognitive error that their value is based solely on their achievements and one day they have to call in sick to work, they may spend a lot of the day worrying that they will no longer be seen as valuable. If a person knows that achievement is helpful in their self esteem but they can also tell themselves they have value because they are caring and helpful, they are more self accepting and confident. We wanted to diagnose people in a way that we would automatically be diagnosing through a framework of good days and bad days, or healthy and unhealthy days or spans of time.
Possible Solutions
There are also accurate personality assessment tools such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, more commonly known as the MMPI. The MMPI is the most common psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology. According to the National Institutes of Health, the MMPI data can be used to draw conclusions about the test taker’s psychopathy. It can interpret psychological characteristics compared to the norm. The most common treatment application of the test by mental health providers is establishing or reevaluating care for an ambiguous clinical picture. For psychiatric management, this aids in creating generalizable data relevant to a plethora of possible conditions. These conditions are called personality disorders. It should be noted this is a valuable diagnostic tool that is widely accepted as the gold standard for personalty assessment.
Another option would be the Enneagram Assessment Tool, which in my experience, is the least stereotypical and/or pathology oriented personality assessment tool available. It is also accessible to everyone. Of course, I need to note here that if a person is struggling, it is best to seek professional assistance and guidance. Self diagnosis isn’t always useful or preferred. For those who are in a place of curiosity and wanting a way to see themselves in a way that allows for personal insight, this might be an affective tool.
As defined by the Enneagram Institute, the enneagram is “a nine-sided figure used in a particular system of analysis to represent the spectrum of possible personality types.”
The Enneagram is an assessment tool that classifies a person’s personalty into nine basic types. As each type is defined, part of the context is how the type characteristics present in a person’s behavior when they are at their best, or when they are at their worst.
This framework allows for a person to embrace their personality while realizing that, on a bad day, their traits may show up in a negative way. We all have good days and bad days. The Enneagram is a way to look at personality in a more accepting, embracing way. This enables us to accept ourselves, flaws and all, and become more receptive to making changes that bring out our best.
How I am Working to Implement these Principles
At Urban Treehouse QC, we continue to explore opportunities for our readers to live their best life. We often discuss creativity and mental health in a way that is accessible and can be embraced by anyone who is interested. The enneagram is intriguing to us because , while we accept the human condition as one where we all have good days and bad days, we would like to share information that enables you to have more of the good ones.
Mental health is finally being viewed as a part of overall health in the medical realm. For so long the stigma kept these conversations hushed. While acknowledgment that mental health is a part of overall health, we also want people to have access to help themselves as they explore their own mental well being. There should be safe and accessible ways to do that. The Enneagram offers this. It can be a starting off point for a person just starting to look into their mental health. We encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out to a professional. A good place to start is with a primary care provider. If you are looking to get started on your own, you can do so with the link provided below.
For more information and to take an enneagram assessment test ($12) visit:
We hope that mental health will continue to be discussed more openly and that future generations can openly seek and explore their own mental health which is vital to overall health.
Talk to you again soon!
Debbie