Cognitive perfectionism is adaptive when it’s driven by curiosity and learning without attachment to outcome. For example, a neurologist who dedicates their life to researching why we dream. At the end of decades upon decades of research, the neurologist may say, “I don’t really know why we dream.” They didn’t get an answer or closure, but they thoroughly enjoyed decades of meaningful work. The neurologist could retire, but it wouldn’t matter. In one way or another, they will never let go of trying to answer the question.
