Perfectionism

Perfectionism is one of the nature-based factors that have been found to effect PSA. Perfectionism is unique in the sense that it is a double edged sword of sorts. This is because perfectionism has two aspects: adaptive and maladaptive. On the one hand, adaptive perfectionists set extremely high standards for themselves and actively aim to achieve these standards. These individuals actually tend to have lower trait CA but can still experience state CA-- just like everyone else. On the other hand, while maladaptive perfectionists still have the extremely high standards, they seem to push these farther and farther. This makes it near impossible to reach these standards and the prospect of not achieving these standards can causes extreme anxiety and trait PSA. It can also make it very difficult for a person to cope with or let go of an event in which they do not meet their high standards. Below is a first hand account of how social anxiety disorder and maladaptive perfectionism go hand in hand to create high trait PSA.

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