Are patients with chronic fatigue syndrome perfectionistic—or were they? A case-control study

This study investigated the relationship between premorbid and postmorbid perfectionism, fatigue, and severity of depression in 43 CFS patients and 80 university students. Perfectionism in CFS patients and students was measured by the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS-F; Frost, R. O., Marten, P., Lahart, C. M., & Rosenblate, R., 1990). CFS patients also retrospectively reported premorbid levels of perfectionism using a modified MPS-F. Results showed that CFS patients reported higher premorbid and postmorbid levels of both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism compared to normal controls, although CFS attenuated certain aspects of perfectionism. Perfectionism was associated with severity of depression in CFS patients, even after controlling for demographic variables and concurrent levels of fatigue. Perfectionism was also associated with severity of fatigue in students, but not in CFS patients. Overall, results suggest that there may be no simple dichotomous distinction between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.