Perfectly Hidden Depression Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Challenge the Ten Traits of Perfectionism That Mask Your Depression - Softcover

Rutherford, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 164848722X ISBN 13: 9781648487224

Publisher: New Harbinger, 2026

Synopsis

When your life seems perfect to others, but you're slowly and silently falling apart--this workbook will help you recognize and challenge the ten traits of destructive perfectionism that mask and drive your hidden depression.

If you were raised to believe that expressing struggle is a sign of weakness, or if being emotionally transparent has always made you feel unsafe, then you may have protected yourself by creating a perfect-looking life--a life where you appear to be successful, engaged, and always there for others. The problem? What began as protection is now its own prison. You're filled with self-criticism and shame, and you can't allow yourself to express fear, anger, loss, or grief. You recognize something is wrong, but you're not sure what exactly--only that you feel trapped and alone. If this sounds like you, you may have perfectly hidden depression (PHD).

With this evidence-based workbook, you'll learn to challenge the ten traits of perfectionism that act to mask your depression, release feelings of shame, overcome the need to rigidly control your emotions, and cultivate true self-acceptance. You'll also find tangible tips for quieting that critical and rule-bound inner voice, and powerful strategies for coping with difficult feelings. Most importantly, you'll discover that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of your strong determination to heal.

This workbook will help you:

• Understand what created the need for your perfectionism
• Identify destructive beliefs and challenge their usefulness in the present
• Begin to express and honor your range of feelings
• Build meaningful connections

If you're ready to stop hiding and start healing, this workbook will guide you--every imperfect step of the way.

About this title

About the Authors

Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice with more than twenty-five years of experience treating individuals and couples for depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. She also offers her compassionate and commonsense therapeutic style to the general public through her popular blog and podcasts, with the goal of decreasing the stigma around psychological treatment. Her podcasts and shows on perfectly hidden depression (PHD) have reached thousands, as she sheds light on this overlooked presentation of the disease.

Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. She is host of the Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast, and founder of www.cbtschool.com--an online psychoeducation platform for OCD, anxiety disorders, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs).

Edition details

• Publisher: New Harbinger
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 164848722X
• ISBN 13: 9781648487224
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200