Definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a condition characterized by a chronic preoccupation with rules, orderliness, and control.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors of OCPD

This disorder tends to occur in families and thus may have a genetic component. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) most often occurs in men. It should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is another psychiatric condition that shares some symptoms with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder believe that their preoccupations are appropriate. They tend to be high achievers and have a sense of urgency about their actions. They may become extremely upset if others disturb their rigidly ordered routines.

Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

A person with this personality disorder has symptoms of perfectionism that usually begin in early adulthood. This perfectionism may interfere with the person's ability to complete a given task because the rigid standards cannot be upheld. People with this disorder may emotionally withdraw when they are not able to control a situation.

Signs and tests

Some of the common signs of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder include:

• Perfectionism
• Inflexibility
• Preoccupation with details, rules, and lists
• Reluctance to allow others to do things
• Excessive devotion to work
• Restricted expression of affection
• Lack of generosity
• Inability to throw things away, even if there is no value in the object

next: Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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Reviewed: 04/2006