Testing beliefs such as, "I am worthless. I am useless. I am a burden to my family." The therapist transformed those ideas into hypotheses about self that could be tested.

Perfectionism

A mixture of compulsive and narcissistic features. The patient put tremendous emphasis on achievement, systems, high productivity, efficiency, and perfectionism. At first, we regarded those values as normal, healthy, and adaptive, but came to see self as driven by beliefs relevant to the necessity for high-level achievement. When those traits were translated into beliefs, you begin to see how dysfunctional they are.

(1) "It is rewarding to succeed highly, but less success is rewarding also and has no bearing on my adequacy or inadequacy. I am adequate, no matter what."

(2) "Achievement is important but not vital."

(3) "What is vital is a reasonable mix of achievement, emotional and physical well-being, an enriching family and social life, joy in recreation, relaxation, nature, and spiritual and personal growth."

(4) "It is impossible for anyone to achieve that vital balance if any one area is overvalued."

being aware of what is and what is not in our power