Last reviewed:
Oct 25th 2023
M.A., LPCC
Atelophobia is a specific phobia that causes the individual to experience an intense and extreme fear of imperfections. It can cause significant impacts on functioning and quality of life. Effective treatment for atelophobia may include therapy, medication, and self-care techniques.
Atelophobia is the fear of imperfections, being imperfect, or making mistakes. It can cause extreme worry and the avoidance of social and professional situations for fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, or being judged. Because of this, it can cause significant impairments in functioning [1][2].
Atelophobia is likely to occur alongside other mental health symptoms or conditions, such as other anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, or substance use disorders. Atelophobia may appear to be very similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The two are separate conditions, although they can co-occur [1][3].
Atelophobia is not specifically mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but is considered a specific phobia. A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes extreme and irrational fear due to a particular stimulus, which may be a person, place, situation, or object [3].
There is currently limited available research into the diagnosis and treatment of atelophobia. However, research is available about perfectionism as a personality trait and specific phobias in general. Further research is required to better understand atelophobia and the development of specific phobias [1][4].
The symptoms of atelophobia may differ from person to person but typically include [1][3][4][5][6]:
There is no specific cause of atelophobia. Specific phobias often develop due to several contributing risk factors, including past experiences and genetics.
Studies show that individuals with a family history of anxiety disorders or specific phobias may be more likely to develop atelophobia or other specific phobias [7]. Similarly, personality traits, including perfectionism, have been found to be influenced by genetic factors, thus suggesting further heritability for the development of atelophobia [8].
In addition to genetic factors, individuals living with parents or family members with these conditions or personality traits may be more likely to develop similar symptoms due to exposure. For example, a child with a perfectionist parent may witness and learn the same traits and attitudes. As such, genetic and environmental factors are likely to influence atelophobia development concurrently [5][9].
Specific phobias can develop in response to traumatic experiences. For example, someone may develop atelophobia if they were ridiculed or punished for mistakes as a child, causing a negative emotional response to future errors [4][5].
A fear of imperfection or obsession with perfection may develop due to the individual’s own or external pressures to achieve. For example, the individual or their parents may place great importance on academic achievements, thereby holding themselves to very high and potentially unattainable standards [1][6].
Atelophobia is triggered by real, perceived, or potential imperfections, so it may occur in situations such as the following [1][3][6]:
It is common for people with a specific phobia to avoid seeking treatment and attempt to live with their symptoms without professional help. However, atelophobia and other specific phobias that significantly impact various areas of functioning should be diagnosed and treated to prevent ongoing or worsening difficulties [4][5].
To diagnose atelophobia, a clinician will ask about the presenting symptoms, physical and mental health history, and family history. They will likely utilize the DSM-5 criteria for specific phobias to help inform their diagnosis, which includes [3]:
As atelophobia is not well-researched, no evidence-based treatments exist for this condition. Several potentially effective treatments are available for specific phobias, although it is unclear if these treatments are equally effective for each type of phobia. Generally, treatments aim to decrease the individual’s fear and anxiety through systematic exposure and desensitization.
Various therapeutic approaches may be beneficial for individuals with atelophobia, such as [4][5][10][11]:
Medications can be provided to help individuals manage acute or long-term symptoms of specific phobias such as atelophobia. Choosing an appropriate and effective medication may vary from person to person, so it is important to discuss these options with your doctor and report any unwanted or unpleasant side effects when taking a medication.
Potentially helpful medications for atelophobia can include [5][9][10]:
Symptoms of anxiety disorders, including specific phobias such as atelophobia, can be reduced and managed with the use of various self-care techniques. This includes [5][9]:
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