Atelophobia is an overwhelming fear of imperfection. People with atelophobia judge themselves very harshly, often setting unrealistic goals. They may get upset about mistakes they’ve made in the past or mistakes they’re afraid of making in the future. Atelophobia often leads to extreme anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or panic attacks.
Atelophobia is different than Atychiphobia, which is a fear of failure.
Atelophobia is different than perfectionism, which is a personality trait that causes you to hold yourself to extremely high standards and strive to be flawless. Atelophobia is an actual fear of flaws. Someone with atelophobia may avoid a situation in which they think they could make a mistake, seeing it as threatening. The fear can affect every aspect of their lives, from school and work to family life and social situations.
I do a lot of self-reflection, and when I came across this condition, it hit me like a ton of bricks that this sounds just like me. I understand the dangers of self-diagnosis but, seriously, the description in the first paragraph describes me to a “T.” I do have diagnosed Anxiety, but is it more than that? Am I actually Atelophobic? (I can here Spo rolling his eyes as he reads this.)
On the plus side, I clearly acknowledge my own imperfection, so I’m unlike many other Americans, Despots, Tyrants, Dictators, and Karens of the world.
Idle Eyes and a Dormy 
I guess it’s true that you learn something new everyday. I think most of us (whether we admit it or not) experience atelophobia. I know we blame social media for everything nowadays, but I can see social media contributing to this. Since joining IG a couple years ago, I noticed that I constantly comparing myself to dudes with amazing 6-pack abs or folks constantly vacationing in exotic places. A couple of times, I have been like why even bothering going to the beach, if I don’t look like ___ (insert a celeb with a great physique).
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Good point. Most of us probably suffer from this to some degree or another. I think the problem starts when it becomes actually debilitating and preventing you from trying to do anything. While the media certainly makes those who we may deem to be smarter, prettier, or wealthier than us more visible to us, ultimately we are responsible for how we digest that information and allow it to impact us. We need to learn how not to compare ourselves to others and appreciate ourselves for who and what we are.
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I agree with the the sentiments offered by swoseil2 above. Probably the majority of us have atelophobia to some degree but without the knowledge to identify it. Good information! 😉 Naked hugs!
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It’s all about finding our own sense of value, without needing to compare ourselves to others or their expectations of us as a bench mark.
Naked hugs back!
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Thanks. I don’t receive too many of those!
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I’ll give you more to make up for that.
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I’m very grateful, my buddy! 🙂 Naked hugs and smiles!
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🙂
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Yeah, self-diagnosis is a tricky and dangerous thing. But it’s so tempting to do, isn’t it! Even more tempting is coming up with mental health diagnoses for exes. You wouldn’t believe the conditions and neuroses my misguided exes have had, LOL!
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Trust me I do believe it. All of my exes and ex-friends have the most vile and detestible personality traits, illnesses, and psychological issues you can imagine. *smirk*
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That Peppermint Patty meme is so disturbing. I know she is a lesbian icon, but aren’t all those Peanuts kids pre-pubescent?
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All those kids are vampires. They’d have to be to have stayed that young this long. And they’ve clearly killed their parents for good because where the hell are all the adults?!?!
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They have schoolteachers with sonorous diction. Also Charlie Brown’s dad is a barber, so he does not have much time to spend with his free-range child.
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I think that’s just what they want people to think.
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I might just be borderline Atelophobic. I might just be borderline a lot of things. But, yes, swosei12 hit the nail on the head. Anyway, I’ve always relied on Peppermint Patty for advice.
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Well Madonna sang “You keep on pushing my love over the borderline.” And I love ya borderline things and all! *hug*
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I used to be like that all the time. But with age and the passage of time, I’m learning to give myself a break if I’m not perfect or have flaws. We all do. There is no reason to torture myself.
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I agree with your sentiments, but feeling this way isn’t a choice and isn’t easily changed. But I’m working on it.
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