Perfectionism-Induced Psychopathology in Black Swan
- Kriti Shah
- Jan 8
- 7 min read
~ Kashika Jain, O.P. Jindal Global University.
Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan (2010) follows the story of Nina Sayers, a ballerina who after a long and tough fight, has finally been given the dual role of the Swan Queen in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Apart from the flawless technical aspect, the work also demands the psychological identification of the two characters, which is the cause of Nina's intense struggle inside her. The movie depicts the decline of mental health as a result of an extreme situation of pressure to perform and setting of perfectionistic standards that are later on internalized, where symptoms like anxiety, dissociation, and hallucination are shown. Psychology research has been pointing for a long time that there is a strong link between maladaptive perfectionism [KS1] and anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive traits, body-focused anxiety, and identity disturbance. Psychology research has long shown a strong link between maladaptive perfectionism and poor mental health, meaning the kind of perfectionism where a person sets impossible standards and fears any mistake. This is seen in Black Swan as Nina internalizes these unrealistic expectations, and her obsessive drive to be “perfect” fuels the anxiety, dissociation, and hallucinations that ultimately cause her psychological breakdown. Psychoanalytic theory, on the other hand, suggests that an overly demanding and internalized superego may result in repression and self-punishment. [1] The goal of this paper is to argue that perfectionism is the leading cause of Nina's emotional collapse, and furthermore, that this instance is a demonstration of the negative consequences of associating one's self completely with flawless performance, by examining the case from both clinical and psychoanalytic perspectives.[KS2]
The most prominent psychological problem in Black Swan is the internalisation of maladaptive perfectionistic expectations, a[KS3] nd by this internalizing, Nina takes in the outside insistence of perfection to such an extent that it becomes her inner measure of value making her anxiety and dissociative symptoms erupt even from the most minor of her faults, thus, resulting in her emotional breakdown. Clinical research differentiates between adaptive perfectionism, which helps achievement, and maladaptive perfectionism, which is characterised by setting unrealistically high standards and being very critical of oneself. [2] Nina’s behaviour is dominated by compulsive repetition, fastidious attention to technical detail, and ceaseless dread of imperfection.[KS4] This effect is largely seen in the rehearsal scene where Nina fanatically goes through her spins until her fingers bleed, and even after her body is giving up, she doesn't cease her practice, as to her, the tiniest shake is an unforgivable failure. Clinical studies have also found links between perfectionism that is maladaptive, compulsive self-monitoring and self-directed harm. [3] Here, non-conformance to perfection is not merely an error but a very grave exposure that risks your identity.[KJ5]
Parental overcontrol, conditional approval and emotional enmeshment have been identified by psychological studies as major developmental factors that lead to maladaptive perfectionism.[4] . Such characteristics are noticeable in the relationship between Nina and her mother Erica who, absorbs, not only the fact that she treats her like a child, but as well she directly influences her personal choices and, while doing so, she constantly strengthens the idea that Nina is worth that of one career success only.
Ballet, for example, tends to highlight and magnify such characteristics of artists, as these artists are being constantly evaluated, monitored, and compared. [KS6] Throughout the film, Nina is seen to interpret the technical excellence not only as a mere facet of the artistic growth but essentially as her own inherent value. Aronofsky has intentionally employed mirrors to depict Nina's self-examination and thereby turning self-awareness into a kind of surveillance, rather than a means of communication.
According to the psychoanalytic theories, Nina's conduct is indicative of the presence of a very strict and severe superego which is the main source of the feelings of guilt and anxiety that accompany the situations where perfection is not attained. Nina's scratching of her skin and dramatizing her body in pain, which she frequently does when she wants her attention, are symbolic illustrations of the inner punishment phenomenon [KS7] whereby the body becomes the place for the perfectionist conflict to which the person has identified and which is played out.
Another psychic problem has to do with identity fragmentation and dissociative experiences. If perfectionism is turned into an existential demand, a very drastic split may result between the ideal self and the actual self. [5] Not only Nina is pushed to deliver the performance, but also she is required to be the embodiment of the Black Swan—something which she has been denying for a long time—sexuality, aggression and self-assertion. The opposition of White Swan and Black Swan symbolizes the main character's split of the mind: innocence and delicacy on the one hand, fiery and threatening on the other. [KS8] A psychoanalytic interpretation would see this disagreement as a fight with the repressed side of the personality, but modern psychopathology accepts that perfectionistic self-criticism may exacerbate the person's susceptibility to anxiety, dissociation and identity diffusion. [6]
The feature film also visualizes somatic hallucinations, in particular, the hallucination of feathers growing under Nina's skin and the change of her body into a swan one. These hallucinations signify the total annihilation of the body.[KS9] These changes are significant to highlight as they demonstrate Nina's mental breakdown going down to her very being, indicating that the limit between her character and her identity has merged to such an extent that she's not even in her own body anymore but the one of the perfectionistic ideal that takes it over. Studies in clinical psychology have revealed that maladaptive perfectionism is related to dissociative symptoms and body-focused issues, especially in a high-pressure artistic environment.[7] At the height of the movie, hallucination, and reality seem to be the same thing, and Nina's personality becomes one with that of the character which results in a mental breakdown. Thus, the plot unfolds the psychological dangers of a perfectionist self-definition taken to the extreme as its source. However devastatingly Black Swan ends, the psychological conditions portrayed in the film offer substantial chances for healing and prevention. Psychological studies point out that one of the most efficient methods to change perfectionistic beliefs, to confront catastrophic thinking, and to distinguish personal value from external evaluation is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).[8]
Besides, psychodynamic therapy might delve into the mental mechanisms that result in a maladaptive perfectionism pattern of internal parental expectations and emotional conflicts that specifically in Nina's relationship with Erica. From a psychoanalytic point of view, one’s pathological perfectionism is considered to be deeply connected with one’s early developmental relationships, where conditional approval leads to the formation of very harsh and punitive internal standards .[9] Therefore the healing of such characters means basically separating these inner characters, that is to say, creating a new, more independent and less limited sense of identity for oneself. Changes in individual therapy are not enough; the change of institutions that work in the arts sector is also needed. The professional ballet schools and the companies should be the ones that take the mental health care as their responsibility, keep the record of symptoms of over-exercising and body-related anxiety, and prevent the production of those cultures which evaluate the individual by performance only. New research is pointing to the fact that perfectionism is not just a personal characteristic but a feature that is strengthened by the presence of competitive and evaluative environments. [10] One of the ways to the mental strength of artists might be the successful implementation of their creative rights and getting the emotional exposure as an artist rather than a kind of self-punishment.
The film Black Swan, is a powerful and intense psychological journey into the idea of perfection and the extreme way in which it is internalized leading, as a result, to the development of a serious psychological disorder. The downfall of Nina is, probably, the most vivid illustration of the reckoning of an identity that infers that the only source of the identity is perfect performance and being liked by others. The clinical and psychoanalytical points of view demonstrate the interaction of parental overcontrol, performance culture, and repressed desire which finally causes dissociation, hallucination, and identity collapse. In addition, the movie shows these mental processes in a very exaggerated way, however, its psychological issues are very well-grounded in the scientific studies which link maladaptive perfectionism with anxiety, dissociation, and obsessive behaviour. Therefore, the story acts as a warning of the human cost of perfection and points to the necessity of psychological help in the environments where there is a high drive for performance.[11][KS10]
Bibliography
1. Egan S, Wade T and Shafran R, ‘Perfectionism as a Transdiagnostic Process: A Clinical Review’ (2011) 31 Clinical Psychology Review 203
2. Flett G and Hewitt P, Perfectionism and Maladjustment: An Overview of Theoretical, Definitional and Treatment Issues (American Psychological Association 2002)
3. Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C and Rosenblate R, ‘The Dimensions of Perfectionism’ (1990) 14 Cognitive Therapy and Research 449
4. Hewitt PL and Flett GL, ‘Perfectionism in the Self and Social Contexts’ (1991) 60 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 456
5. Hewitt P, Flett G and Mikail S, Perfectionism: A Relational Approach to Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment (Guilford Press 2003)
6. Black Swan (Fox Searchlight Pictures 2010)
7. Shafran R and Mansell W, ‘Perfectionism and Psychopathology: A Review of Cognitive Behavioural Approaches’ (2001) 39 Behaviour Research and Therapy 1231.
[1] Flett and Hewitt (2002).
[2] Frost and others (1990).
[3] Shafran and Mansell (2001); Egan, Wade and Shafran (2011).
[4] Hewitt and Flett (1991).
[5] Hewitt, Flett and Mikail (2003).
[6] ibid.
[7] Egan, Wade and Shafran (2011).
[8] ibid
[9] Hewitt and Flett (1991).
[10] Hewitt, Flett and Mikail (2003).
[11] Flett and Hewitt (2002).
[KS1]Explain what this means in simple words and connect it to the movie.
[KS2]GOOD! Strong aim and well written. Gold star yay.
[KS3]Second time you have mentioned it. Explain it, dont assume the reader knows.
Advice: When you talk about internalisation then explain why you have mentioned and how there is internalisation. It’s okay to make claims, please back them up with reasoning. Well written.
[KS4]To provide imagery, describe a scene or a point in the movie where you felt this the most.
[KJ5]Connect to a scene or part of the movie. Build a connection. Very well written.
Advice: You can even place this above where the imagery has been mentioned so that the reader makes that connection.
[KS6]GOOD! Building a connection with the surrounding of your writing shows that you can identify patterns of behaviours in certain settings. Well written.
[KS7]Good imagery
[KS8]Very well written
[KS9]Write a line about why this is something that you felt was important to mention. Dont just focus on clinicality of the act. Analyse why its important to note the changes in her body and what it actually means or is pointing to.
[KS10]Very well written.
Your analysis of Black Swan is outstanding! You’ve skillfully explored Nina’s psychological unraveling, showing the complex interplay of external pressures and internal struggles. Kudos!
Brilliant analysis of Black Swan! You've beautifully linked perfectionism to Nina's downfall, offering a thoughtful and impactful perspective. Great job!
Your analysis of Black Swan is thought-provoking and well-crafted! You’ve effectively tied Nina’s psychological decline to the dangers of perfectionism, using both clinical and psychoanalytic perspectives to deepen the understanding. It’s a powerful reminder of how high expectations can impact mental health. Excellent job! 👏
This analysis of Black Swan is fantastic! You’ve expertly tied Nina’s breakdown to maladaptive perfectionism and the real-world consequences of internalizing unrealistic standards. The connection to clinical and psychoanalytic theories adds depth, and your integration of research on anxiety and dissociation highlights how these issues are both externally and internally driven. A powerful reminder of the mental health struggles in high-pressure environments. Brilliant work!