Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Seductive Sirens of Perfectionism
2. The Pursuit of Excellence: Healthy or Unhealthy Perfectionism?
3. Types of Perfectionism
4. Depression, Anger and Eating Disorders
5. Worry, Anxiety and Obsessions
6. The Thought Patterns of Perfectionism
7. Genes and Temperament
8. Shame and Guilt
9. Parental Influences
10. The Pressures of Culture and Media
11. Anal Fixations and Other Weird and Wonderful Ideas
12. Perfectionism and Pride: The Road to Hell . . . or Heaven?
13. Learning to Live with Imperfection: Strategies for Change
14. The Search for Identity and Purpose
15. Toward Maturity: The Healthy Pursuit of Excellence and Perfection
Appendix: Perfectionism in History and Religion
Notes
Name Index
Subject Index
Scripture Index

About the Author

Richard Winter, a psychiatrist, is professor of practical theology at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of Still Bored in a Culture of Entertainment.

Reviews

"In Perfecting Ourselves to Death Dr. Winter ably explores this apparent paradox, and charts the emergence of perfectionism with its varied origins in our genetic inheritance, upbringing, temperament and motivation.

"As a teacher and counselor, he combines a background of medicine and psychiatry along with a clear biblical foundation and many years of pastoral experience. The result is a book which is thoughtful, clear and accessible and will provide an invaluable practical resource for preachers, counselors and sufferers alike."--Monty Barker, Consultant Psychiatrist and Visiting Professor of Psychiatry and Pastoral Care