Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People: Avoid Emotional Traps, Stand Up for Your Self, and Transform Your Relationships as an Adult Child of Emotionally Immature Parents

by Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD

Although misguided, your perfectionistic part is just trying to keep you safe (Schwartz 1995, 2022). It learned that caution and self-criticism were better than waiting for someone to puncture your enthusiasm. It’s only trying to protect you by getting everything right from the very beginning.