Am I a perfectionist? You asked Google – here’s the answer | Linda Blair

Every day millions of internet users ask Google life's most difficult questions, big and small. Our writers answer some of the commonest queries

If you're asking this question, you're probably also wondering if perfectionism can ever be a good thing.

Perfectionists are those who strive for flawlessness, for a perfect creation, outcome or performance. They set excessively high standards. They're harshly critical in their evaluations both of themselves and of others, and they're highly concerned about the way others evaluate them and their work. They find compromise challenging - either something is done to their own high and exacting prescription or it's regarded as a total failure. They find it difficult to delegate, even if that means neglecting their health, relationships and wellbeing in pursuit of a "perfect" outcome. They also find it difficult to forget about a past mistake or a situation in which they feel they failed - and as a result, they're often plagued by feelings of guilt and regret.