neurodivergence & Perfectionism
A Brief, incomplete tour of the research exploring the connections between perfectionism and Autism/ADHD.
Psychology is full of fuzzy terms, and “perfectionism” is a great example. It can be defined as an attitude that is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes. It can also be defined as a problematic trait making you more likely to be highly stressed and less capable of adapting to changing circumstances.
If you identity as a perfectionist, does this characteristic involve a little of Column A and Column B? If you also identity as neurodivergent, do you have a love-hate relationship with your drive to achieve and your trouble accepting less than “total success”?
This is a short, non-exhaustive review of the research exploring the links between and perfectionism and neurodivergence. Which of these insights ring true for you?
The possible role of cognitive flexibility
Certain researchers have linked perfectionism with the concept of cognitive flexibility (Hayatbini et al, 2021)—including in neurodivergent people (Greenway & Howlin, 2010). Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust thinking and behavior based on changes in your circumstances. Some researchers believe it helps you to adapt when things shift around you. The idea is that perfectionists often have rigid thinking; they struggle to adjust their standards, even when they're unrealistic. This might look like
sticking to old rules or goals even when they no longer work or make sense; or
seeing results as a complete success or a total failure, with no middle ground.
The possible role of social expectations
One study by Greenway and Howlin (2010) comparing groups of autistic and neurotypical boys discovered something intriguing. In addition to being more anxious and depressed, autistic boys were more likely to hold “socially prescribed perfectionistic beliefs” than their neurotypical peers.
These researchers suggest that it’s worth considering whether these results reflect the social challenges faced by autistics. For instance, what if you face unrealistic expectations for performance at work or school? When you fail to meet these expectations, the consequences can be harsh, such as being ridiculed or penalized. In light of these harsh realities, is perfectionism a strategy for “keeping up”?
The possible role of hyper-focus
If you are autistic or have ADHD, you might well experience something called hyper-focus. Briefly, this is the ability to enter an intense state of concentration on a topic or task of interest. One study by Dupuis et al (2022) explores whether hyper-focus is linked to perfectionism as well as repetitive (i.e., obsessive) thoughts and behaviours.
These researchers found that the “attention strengths” of hyper-focus were not linked to general cognitive impairment or difficulties in switching between tasks. (In other words, they did not find higher rates of cognitive inflexibility.) However, they did predict higher levels of repetitive behavior and perfectionism.
In light of these results, Dupuis et al ask some valuable questions. Why is this state of absorbed focus called “hyper-focus” when it is seen as a problem afflicting “obsessive” neurodivergent people? Why is this same state called “flow” and seen as a desirable way of behaving in neurotypical people?
Can you support your strengths but ease your suffering?
As this brief tour through some of the research on perfectionism and neurodivergence shows, the connections are complex and sometimes contradictory. Maybe, as a person with ADHD, autism, or both, you do struggle to adjust to change or accept results that don’t match your vision. Maybe you do use perfectionism as a strategy to keep up with punishing neurotypical standards. Maybe you do tend to experience hyper-focus—or flow states—and perfectionism is part of this (often extremely productive and positive) experience. Maybe—probably—there are neurological, social, or cultural factors driving your perfectionism that neither this post nor any of the existing research touches on.
One throughline in the research I have just discussed is that perfectionism tends to be associated with emotional troubles, including anxiety and depression. Can the strengths of your neurodivergent mind be supported while of its suffering is eased? Based on what you have just learned, what do you think?
