Perfectionism often gets framed as a personality flaw or an overachiever’s quirk—something to tone down with better work-life balance or stricter time management. But for many, especially those with histories of attachment trauma, perfectionism isn’t just a habit. It’s a survival strategy.

If you work in a high-pressure field—whether you're a healthcare worker, educator, first responder, therapist, corporate leader, or caregiver—you're no stranger to stress. You probably already have some solid strategies to get through tough days. But even with all that strength and know-how, the stress often doesn’t go away—it just burrows deeper.

You might find yourself panicking after a mildly critical email from a coworker, feeling like a total failure when you make a small mistake, or shutting down emotionally when your partner asks for connection. These aren’t overreactions—they’re past reactions, still alive in your nervous system.