Antisocial Personality Disorder	Avoidant Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder	Dependent Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder	Obsessive-Compulsive Personality
Paranoid Personality Disorder	Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder	Personality Disorders Home
Histrionic Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is characterized by perfectionism and inflexibility which may cause extreme distress and interfere with occupational and social functioning. Individuals with this disorder are characterized by a fixation on things being done "the right way." Although many might envy their persistence and dedication, this preoccupation with details prevents them from actually completing much of anything.

Individuals with this disorder tend to be high achievers and may become extremely upset if others disturb their rigid routines or interfere with their carefully thought out plans. They are often very work-oriented and spend little time relaxing. Because of their general rigidity, these people tend to have poor interpersonal relationships.

It is believed that this disorder has a strong genetic component as it tends to be more common in family members of individuals with OCPD than in the general population. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder most often occurs in men. This personality disorder seems to be only distantly related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the two should not be confused.

Diagnostic Criteria for OCPD:

A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

(1) is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost

(2) shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)

(3) is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)

(4) is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

(5) is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

(6) is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

(7) adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

(8) shows rigidity and stubbornness

Treatment of OCPD:

The most often effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is individual psychotherapy combined with behavior modification therapy to change inflexible behavior patterns. Cognitive therapy has been found to be particularly effective because it directly addresses the individual's illogical or rigid beliefs and suits the tendency to intellectualize.

Medications are sometimes prescribed to help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety and enable therapy to be more effective.

Personal Stories of OCPD:

If you would like to share your story of living with this disorder, or if you are a loved one of an obsessive-compulsive individual and would like to tell your tale - please email me and I will include it on this page.

NEVER GOOD ENOUGH: How to use Perfectionism to Your Advantage Without Letting it Ruin Your Life

Why Does He Do That: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men