Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a personality disorder that is often confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder. They are actually two quite different disorders. Those who are suffering from the personality disorder do not generally feel the need to perform the repetitive ritualistic actions (such as excessive hand-washing) that characterize OCD. Instead, theirs is a skewed philosophy of most areas of their lives. They tend to stress perfectionism above all else, and feel anxiety when they perceive that things aren't "right."
They are generally inflexible, conforming to a set of rigid rules and procedures that stress perfectionism and orderliness. They may hoard money, expect that the home will be kept perfectly organized, or be anxious about delegating tasks for fear that they won't be completed correctly. There are few moral grey areas for a person with OCPD; actions and beliefs are either completely right, or absolutely wrong. As might be expected, interpersonal relationships are difficult because of the excessive demands placed on friends, romantic partners, and children.
Therapy is difficult, and involves persuading the OCPD sufferer to accept that there are valid viewpoints that may contrast with their own, and that there may be many "right" ways to accomplish most tasks.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines the OCPD criteria as four or more of the following:
The Subject...
- is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
- 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).
- is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity).
- is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification).
- is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.
- is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things.
- adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes.
- shows rigidity and stubbornness.
It is important to note that while a person may exhibit any or all of the characteristics of a personality disorder, it is not diagnosed as a disorder unless the person has trouble leading a normal life due to these issues.
This article is a stub. You can help BambooWeb by .
