When Perfect Isn't Good Enough: Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism (Paperback)

by Martin M. Antony (Author), Richard P. Swinson (Author) "Most people are continually bombarded with demands to improve their performances..." (more)
Key Phrases: becoming less perfectionistic, perfectionistic thoughts, changing perfectionistic behaviors, Therapist Can, Specific Goals General Goal, Client Actually (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"When Perfect Isn't Good Enough" explores the nature of perfectionism and offers a step-by-step program of cognitive-behavioral strategies for overcoming it.

From the Publisher
This revised and updated edition of When Perfect Isn't Good Enough offers the benefits of the latest research to readers who dread making mistakes and feel that nothing they do is quite good enough. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572241241
• ISBN-13: 978-1572241244
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #324,749 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for understanding and changing perfectionism, January 28, 2004

By	Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a psychologist working in a college counseling center, I see many students who beat themselves up with perfectionistic-type thoughts such as "If I don't get an A in this class, I'm a failure" or "I can't let my friends know I'm upset because they'll think there's something wrong with me." These destructive thoughts can have a devastating impact by leading to anxiety, depression, and a host of other difficulties, and this is the #1 book I recommend to students who are struggling with these issues.

The first section of the book, Understanding Perfectionism, helps the reader to better understand the impact of perfectionism on their life, particularly in the areas of thoughts and behavior. The second section, Overcoming Perfectionism, begins with a self-assessment designed to help the reader identify how their own perfectionistic tendencies manifest. Following the assessment, specific exercises assist the reader in identifying goals and developing a plan for change. Finally, this section offers a wide variety of strategies for changing perfectionist thoughts and behaviors.

The final section of the book focuses on specific problems related to perfectionism, with chapters on depression, anger, social anxiety, worry, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and body image. These chapters contain additional exercises, further information on coping strategies, and an overview of available mental health treatment for each concern.

I particularly like the workbook-style format of this book, as it provides the reader with personalized assistance. Reading this book is an excellent first step for anyone who is trying to understand and wanting to change their perfectionistic tendencies; it also can be used as an adjunct to therapy.

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" Book!, April 17, 1999

By A Customer

"When Perfect Isn't Good Enough" is a "must have" book for any individual struggling with issues of perfectionism. In this one of a kind volume, Dr. Antony challenges our glorified conception of perfectionistic thinking and behavior, exposing the many personal, occupational, and interpersonal costs of assuming that "nothing less than perfect will do." What sets this book apart from any other that I've read is its comprehensive, common sense approach to the topic, combined with a workbook format that allows the reader to apply the information to his or her own life. This was extremely powerful! In addition to providing information about possible causes of perfectionism and links to other conditions, Dr. Antony guides the reader through a personal assessment of his or her own style of perfectionism, developing a specific plan for changing perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors, and evaluating one's progress over time. The book contains numerous examples of effective self-change strategies that others have used to overcome this problem. As a clinician, I have already recommended "When Perfect Isn't Good Enough" to several clients who have found it extremely helpful. I would highly recommend this book to all individuals who would like to free themselves from the agony of perfectionistic thinking. It is an essential item for the library of every mental health professional.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very informative, helpful and interesting book, May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This is really a great book. For a layperson like myself who's looking for an intelligent, informed discussion of perfectionism, and suggestions for how to find relief from its more negative aspects, "When Perfect Isn't Good Enough" strikes an excellent balance between an overly technical professional text and the all-too-common self-help book that's too high on fluff and too low on content. This book - which I very much enjoyed reading - is packed with useful information (and good exercises) on how to break free from patterns of perfectionistic thinking and behavior; and it contains what I thought were interesting and insightful discussions on how perfectionism ties together with depression, anger, social anxiety, worry, and other "not so pleasant" dispositions that many of us realize to some degree or other. I found the book quite helpful, and expect to get a fair bit more out of it. Antony and Swinson are clearly experts. Of all the books I've read or looked at on the topic, this one's the best. I highly recommend it.