Source: APA Topics — Personality Link: https://www.apa.org/topics/personality.

The Psychology of Perfectionism: Why younger generations are experiencing higher rates of perfectionism than ever, and how it harms mental health.

Perfectionism is heavily misunderstood. People often treat it as a humblebrag interview answer—a synonym for "I work too hard"—but clinically, it's a vulnerability that acts as psychological quicksand.

Data from the American Psychological Association (APA) highlights a stark reality: perfectionism is rising at an unprecedented rate among young people, and the mental health toll is severe.