Perfectionism gets mistaken for ambition more than almost any other trait. Spotless kitchens, flawless spreadsheets, and holiday dinners planned down to the last detail can look like signs of discipline and competence.

Many of my clients believe their inner critic is doing them a favor. They tell me some version of the same thing: If they stopped being hard on themselves, they would get lazy, or careless, or fall apart completely.

When it comes to depression and sleep, the relationship tends to mimic a chicken-and-egg situation. It can be difficult to tell which one came first and which one followed.