All of us can relate to the feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and frustration that accompany the belief that our best effort just isn't good enough. For perfectionists, these "never enough" feelings may be a constant painful companion goading them to work harder without satisfaction or standing in the way of their making an effort because no result will be worthy.In When Good Enough Is Never Enough, clinical psychologist Steven J. Hendlin, Ph.D., explores how perfectionism is so deeply and unconsciously ingrained in our achievement-oriented culture that everyone suffers from its consequences. Through absorbing and provocative case histories drawn from nearly twenty years of clinical practice, Dr. Hendlin demonstrates the various perfection traps: the desire to shape the perfect child; work perfectionism, and the driven perfectionistic boss and company; competitive perfectionism at play; marital and sexual perfectionism, and the search for the perfect relationship; and the emotionally and sometimes financially ruinous yearning for the best material objects.Dr. Hendlin explores the various social, psychological, and religious causes of "never enough" perfectionism. Such problems as stress, stifled creativity, and dissatisfying relationships are examined - along with their solutions.When Good Enough Is Never Enough offers us a way out of the perfection trap, showing how we may transform the energy that has gone into perfection-seeking into a more moderate, healthy, and satisfying pursuit of excellence. Emotional and physical problems related to perfectionism are examined, including anxiety and depression, stress-related diseases, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, eating disorders, and addictions. And various exercises are presented to help combat perfectionistic thinking and behavior.Dr. Hendlin teaches us how to live with perfectionistic partners, parents, siblings, and friends. He offers us a clear alternative path toward excellence that is not driven by anxiety, fear, guilt, or regret. Read Less