Psychologist Thomas Curran explores how modern culture has made perfectionism desirable and what our collective obsession with perfection is doing to our mental health.

Perfectionism is a badge of honor in our society.

We publicly praise professional athletes, businesspeople, and tech innovators who strive endlessly toward perfection, and we proudly call ourselves perfectionists in job interviews.

Is perfectionism really commendable, or is it preventing us from living freely?

Thomas Curran is a psychologist, author, and professor at the London School of Economics, known for his research on perfectionism and its effects on mental health.

In his 2023 book, The Perfection Trap, Curran explores what perfectionism is, how it affects our lives, health, and relationships, and what we can do to escape its clutches.