Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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

Criterion 1

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

– Seek to assuage their anxiety about any number of factors by plunging themselves ever deeper into detail

– “Success by micromanagement” is their motto

• If you can just gather enough information and organize that information in the right fashion, things will work out okay and you will be protected from harm or at least from disapproval

– Personal dress styles...

Criterion 2

(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)

– Devotion to detail supports perfectionism

– A certain pride in an ability to get work done and done perfectly

• “I’ve parlayed this character trait into occupational success”

• Rapid promotions within work structures validate this position

– Justifies contempt for the “average worker”

–All others are “sloppy” and “neglectful

Criterion 3

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

Criterion 4

(4) Is over-conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or valence (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

– Rule-bound moral and ethical codes

– Tend to be self-righteous

Criterion 5

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

– “Cause what if I need them sometime in the future?”

Criterion 6

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

– Often restrained and defended as if anticipating some impending catastrophe

• Fear of making mistakes that superiors will secretly take note of in a database created specifically for this purpose

– As a result, it’s difficult to trust others with things that need to be very closely overlooked

• “If you (I) want something done right, do it yourself (myself)”

Criterion 7

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

– Often involves “stinginess”

Criterion 8

Shows rigidity and stubbornness

– Can’t afford to change their mind

• This would, in part, imply they were wrong

• “People who change their minds are ‘wishy-washy’”