Learn About Atelophobia: The Fear of Imperfection

There are days when nothing we do feels perfect. This feeling is normal and usually goes away for many people without disrupting their daily lives. But in some people, it can transform into a devastating phobia known as atelophobia or the fear of imperfection.

What is atelophobia?

Atelophobia is a phobia or anxiety disorder characterised by excessive or persistent fear of an object or situation. People with atelophobia fear all kinds of imperfection. It causes psychological disturbances such as anxiety, negative self-judgment, feelings of inadequacy, stress, depression and low self-esteem.

Individuals with atelophobia may set high standards and unrealistic goals for themselves. They avoid particular challenges or tasks for fear of making mistakes. Such people also obsess about past mistakes. Individuals with atelophobia can also experience self-loathing and anxiety as they can never accomplish the unrealistic goals they set. This fear of being unable to meet the standard for perfection leads them to choose uncomplicated careers and low-pressure job positions. Here, they do not need to worry about being the best.

With atelophobia, individuals may also be overly concerned about their appearance, abilities, and virtually anything in life that they can improvise. Such people cannot develop healthy relationships because they constantly demand to be identified as perfect.

Symptoms of atelophobia

Common symptoms of atelophobia include:

• The emotional distress that manifests as an increase in anxiety, hypervigilance, excessive fear, poor concentration and hyperalertness
• Muscle tension
• Hyperventilation or deep and rapid breathing caused by panic and anxiety
• Headache, stomach pain, dyspepsia or upset stomach, chills, excessive sweating, nausea and heart palpitations because of panic and anxiety
• Indecisiveness
• Avoidance
• Procrastination
• Seeking reassurance
• Changes in appetite
• Sleeplessness
• Burnout because of doubts about personal performance
• Irritability or anger
• Sadness or depression
• Inability to handle criticism
• Emotional detachment from people
• Pessimism or a negative outlook on life
• Inability to concentrate on other things apart from fear.

Causes of atelophobia

Common causes of atelophobia include:

Biological Factors: Family history of anxiety disorders, phobias, and other mental conditions

Psychological Factors: A traumatic episode in life, such as suffering abuse or receiving severe punishment for making a mistake or anxiety disorders or phobias

Environmental Factors: Growing up in an environment where errors were unacceptable

Effects of atelophobia

The significant effects of atelophobia include:

• Headaches
• Heart attacks
• Weaker immunity
• Skin problems
• Lack of sex drive
• Breathing complications
• Oral problems in the gums and teeth
• Panic attacks
• Difficulty functioning in regular life because of the fear of imperfection
• Reduced productivity.

With atelophobia, we may also experience other mental conditions, such as:

• Hypochondriasis or illness anxiety disorder
• Avoidant personality disorder
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Substance abuse disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Treatment of atelophobia

Treatment of atelophobia depends on the severity of the condition and can vary from person to person. Usually, anti-anxiety medicines and psychotherapy are the first lines of treatment for the phobia.

Psychotherapy

It includes two therapies mainly.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps individuals with atelophobia change how they think about imperfection. The treatment aims to rewire their brains by exposing them to situations where they can identify the triggers that lead to anxiety. These are situations where people with atelophobia need to do some tasks. The therapist monitors everything starting from the time taken to complete the job. They also regulate the intensity of the method used to handle the situation. 

Since the human brain adapts to situations quickly, CBT helps individuals with atelophobia deal with new problems calmly and gently. It helps reduce and even eliminate their phobia with time.

Exposure therapy

As the name suggests, this therapy directly exposes an individual to situations and objects that trigger their fear. Repetitive exposure to triggers helps individuals with atelophobia manage their fears in a better way. With time and repetition, as their mind starts adapting to the stimuli, the anxiety and thoughts related to their fears will dissolve.

For example, if an individual is afraid of swings, therapy starts with first thinking about swings. It is followed by looking at images or videos of swings and then walking to different swings and being around them. Once they feel okay around swings, the individual can give any swing a try. Gradually and slowly, they can learn to deal with this fear.

Medications

While it is challenging to treat atelophobia with medicines, they can reduce the anxiety and depression accompanying the condition. Sedatives and beta blockers are the two main medications used to treat symptoms of adrenaline rushes, such as dizziness, sweating and a racing pulse.

Sedatives such as benzodiazepines can calm or relax a patient’s body when they face triggering situations. Note that sedatives, antidepressants and beta blockers are addictive; always consult a doctor before taking them.

Besides medications, regular exercise and a healthy and balanced diet can improve mood. They also work by diminishing negative thoughts and depression. Meditation and yoga can manage anxiety and keep panic attacks at bay. Activities such as dancing, running, journaling and writing can also help release fears. Deep breathing techniques can put the body at ease and help individuals recover from all kinds of fear. 

Conclusion

There is no definite way to prevent atelophobia or the fear of imperfection. However, individuals can take steps to reduce its adverse effects on their life. They can benefit from quitting caffeine and recreational drugs that worsen anxiety and creating a solid support network with family and friends. Sharing their concerns and fears with a healthcare provider or therapist will be highly beneficial.

If you think you or someone you love has atelophobia, seek help from the expert life coaches and psychologists at United We Care. Our online mental health platform has licenced therapists and counsellors. Our team will work with you to identify your concerns and develop the perfect treatment plan for you. Contact us today!

References:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/atelophobia-meaning-symptoms-and-treatment#causes

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21932-atelophobia-fear-of-imperfection

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/atelophobia