Cartoon of a woman standing thoughtfully while reflecting on her tendency to view minor human flaws as major psychological problems requiring therapy, illustrating perfectionism, self-judgment, and overanalysis.

Pathologizing Human Imperfection

A cartoon about perfectionism and self-judgment.

We can be quick to interpret ordinary mistakes, flaws, and limitations as evidence that something is seriously wrong with us. This cartoon pokes fun at the tendency to treat everyday human frailty as a condition requiring expert intervention.


I think my tendency to view my every minor human frailty as a major psychological dysfunction requires intensive therapy.