Neurotic perfectionism is characterized by which of the following?

Neurotic perfectionism is often characterized by a profound dependence on external validation, such as praise from others, to bolster self-esteem. Individuals exhibiting this trait may struggle with a sense of inadequacy when they do not receive positive reinforcement for their achievements. This dependency can lead them to set excessively high standards and fear negative evaluations, as their self-worth becomes intertwined with their accomplishments and the approval of others.

In contrast, high satisfaction with accomplishments indicates a healthy level of self-acceptance, which does not align with neurotic perfectionism. Accepting average performance suggests a balanced perspective toward achievement, whereas internalizing failure involves recognizing and learning from failure rather than relying heavily on external validation, which further deviates from the definition of neurotic perfectionism.