Fear of Imperfection is called Atelophobia, In today’s society perfection is seen as the desired trait for success and high standards but if we look the other way around constant desire for perfection and setting unrealistic goals and expectations sometimes are seen as unhealthy and irrational which leads to frequent anxiety, constant self-judgment, and negative evaluation. Atelophobia provokes negative emotions such as guilt, anger, sadness, fear, unwanted comparison, and pain which results in Panic attacks, Depression, and low self-esteem and impacts relationships in a big way. It’s important to know what are the impact of atelophobia on relationships and how it affects our relationships.
Impact of Atelophobia on Relationships
1. Biggest turn-offs in a relationship
Atelophobia for many acts as one of the biggest turn-offs in a relationship. Its inability to concentrate on positive things like love, happiness, and compassion apart from fear halts the growth of the relationship. Many times your partner cannot cope with the obsession of perfection hysteria which hinders the process of a healthy relationship.
2. Can lead to enmeshed relationships
Extreme desire for perfection and pleasing in a relationship can also lead to enmeshed relationships, in the process of perfectionism one compromises their feelings, and desires and diverts from life goal which impacts and increase the toxicity in the relationship.
3. Can lead to breakups
People with atelophobia are extremely sensitive to criticisms, and constant unrealistic goals and failure can detach them emotionally from their partner which can lead to breakups also. Extrem atelophobia can lead to breakups, which not many can handle, the pressure of extreme anxiety results in breakups.
4. Can lead to Imposter syndrome
People suffering from atelophobia constantly need assurance, motivations or they fall prey to imposter syndrome and when despite high-performing efforts things don’t go their way it makes them feel vulnerable, cheated, and less deserving which lowers their self-esteem even more, and their self-doubting ability and strength.
5. Can lead to Mental health issues
Unable to cope with failure, conflict, or pressure, Frequent panic attacks, and extreme depression leads to serious mental health issues, it impacts overall health, and worries surrounding your happiness make the environment toxic and can eventually end relationships.
6. Can lead to Frequent fights
Inability to accept criticism and constant comparison, the feeling of inadequacy and insecurities leads to lots of confrontation which leads to a nasty fight, and verbal abuse and paralyzes the growth of a healthy relationship. Sometimes Stepping back and going easy in critical situations helps to save the relationship.
7. Can lead to financial breakdown
When you are highly critical of your work and become judgmental of others’ imperfections it impacts your professional, personal, and family life and you tend to underperform which puts you at a loss as a whole on all fronts it can impact you financially, professionally, and personally.
8. Can Lead to Unhealthy Constant Comparison
Atolphobia can lead to the bad habit of constant comparison and constant judgment of other’s lives which signals a negative evaluation of any situation or relationship and ends up hurting themselves and the relationship they are in this sort of absurd unhealthy comparison can lead to resentment and eventually breakup if not addressed.
9. Can Impact Social Life
People who are dealing with atolphobia also sometimes suffer from social anxiety and find it hard to adjust to social gatherings and face the general public as they can’t impose their actions and desires on them which makes your partner uncomfortable to be more social and make the relationship vulnerable.
Conclusion
Many see perfection as their strength, a constant strive towards excellence and improvement but No one is perfect, one must accept that imperfection is also normal, Atelophobia if not treated can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which is even worse for a relationship. There are ways you can overcome this phobia with psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, Eliminating negative thoughts, communicating with your partner, and overcoming the fear with strong willpower to set you free from all negativity and drive you towards a healthy and joyful relationship.
Q&A
Q1. Is atelophobia a mental Illness?
Atelophobia is an anxiety disorder, a specific type of phobia, which is caused by excessive fear of imperfections.
Q2. Can atelophobia be cured?
Many people can overcome atelophobia with a combination of lifestyle adjustments, treatments, and psychotherapy.
Q3. What triggers atelophobia?
Past traumatic events and abuses, anxiety disorder, or mental health conditions are a few of the many ways that can trigger atelophobia.
Q4. What is Atichyphobia?
The Fear of failure is called Atichyphobia. Atichyphobia is closely related to Atelphobia as the fear of imperfection many a time develops the fear of failure.