Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

What type of workers are described as efficient, well-ordered, and organized?

Virtuous workers putting in long hours

What do efficient and organized people ensure regarding their performance?

They ensure it measures up to their self-imposed standard of flawlessness.

What type of workers are described as efficient, well-ordered, and organized?

Virtuous workers putting in long hours

What do efficient and organized people ensure regarding their performance?

They ensure it measures up to their self-imposed standard of flawlessness.

How do efficient and organized people react to mistakes or flaws?

The slightest mistake or flaw induces mountains of guilt and causes them to regard their performance as marred, if not ruined.

What is a key characteristic of efficient and organized people's work habits?

They are rigidly devoted to productivity.

How do efficient and organized people manage their personal time?

They rarely take time out for themselves or their families.

What is a common behavior of efficient and organized workers regarding their work hours?

They are known for arriving early and staying late until the job is done to perfection.

What type of standards do efficient and organized people set for themselves?

They set high, often unrealistic standards.

What do efficient and organized people expect from others?

They expect the same high standards from others.

How do efficient and organized people view those who take too much free time?

They brand them as 'slackers' and give them no respect.

People who are efficient, well-ordered and organized

Their private lives are often rigidly dogmatic
- True in matters of morality, ethics, and values
- Everything is by the book, nothing is on the sly
- What they believe they hold as absolute truth
• So much so that others see them as exceptionally stubborn

What type of family background may indicate OCPD?

The patient was raised in a rigid, controlling type of family.

What is a common characteristic of interpersonal relationships in someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

The patient lacks close, self-disclosing, interpersonal relationships.

In which type of professions are patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder often found?

The patient is in a technical, detail-oriented profession such as accounting, law, or engineering.

What is a common trait regarding leisure activities in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

The patient either lacks many leisure activities or has leisure activities that are purposeful and goal-directed and not merely pursued for enjoyment.

What is a prevalent pattern in developed societies?

Obsessive-Compulisve personality traits

What traits are necessary prerequisites to social and financial well-being?

Efficiency, punctuality, willingness to work hard, orientation to detail, etc.

What is almost a requirement when seeking an advanced graduate degree?

Possessing traits like diligence and motivation

Why are traits like diligence and motivation important in graduate school?

To manage the reading and writing required to complete the program

What traits do many professors have?

Strong compulsive traits

What is required for managing effective research and writing papers for peer review?

Precision and detailed knowledge of the field

What traits are often key to excelling in research and writing?

Compulsive traits

Normal-Range Variants of OCPD

The Conscientious Style, the Conforming Style, the Conscientious Compulsive (Dependent features), the Puritanical Compulsive (Paranoid features), the Bureaucratic Compulsive (Narcissistic features), the Parsimonious Compulsive (Schizoid features), the Bedeviled Compulsive (Negativistic features)

What is a characteristic of the Conscientious Style related to work ethic?

Dedication to hard work

What principle is deeply held in the Conscientious Style?

Deeply held convictions of conscience and moral principle

What is a key need in the Conscientious Style regarding tasks?

A need to do things perfectly and in a socially approved manner

What trait describes the Conscientious Style's approach to goals?

Perseverance in pursuits

What preference is common in the Conscientious Style?

Preference for orderliness and detail

What behavior does the Conscientious Style exhibit before acting?

Cautious consideration of alternatives before acting

What is a common tendency in the Conscientious Style regarding possessions?

The need to save or collect things

What do individuals with the Conscientious Style tend to emphasize in their lives?

Work more than any other aspect of their lives

How do individuals with the Conscientious Style approach project completion?

They may spend long hours at the office to bring a project to completion

What do individuals with the Conscientious Style strive to eliminate?

Minor imperfections that most people would simply gloss over

What do individuals with the Conscientious Style enjoy?

Detail

What motivates individuals with the Conscientious Style?

They thrive on accomplishment

What kind of standards do individuals with the Conscientious Style set?

High standards

What trait contributes to many individuals with the Conscientious Style becoming top managers?

Self-discipline

How do individuals with the Conscientious Style typically express their emotions?

They tend to be somewhat reserved, distant, and rather unromantic

What is the Conforming Style constructed around?

Conventionality and a preference for following established rules and standards.

How would you describe individuals with a Conforming Style?

Proper, conventional, orderly, and perfectionistic.

What do individuals with a Conforming Style respect?

Tradition and authority.

What do individuals with a Conforming Style uphold?

Established rules and standards.

How closely do individuals with a Conforming Style follow regulations?

They follow regulations closely.

How do individuals with a Conforming Style typically behave in relationships?

They seldom exhibit spontaneity and can be rather rigid and inflexible.

What is a characteristic of the Conforming Style regarding deviance?

Intolerant of deviance and tend to be judgmental to those who are not as earnest.

How do individuals with the Conforming Style approach their responsibilities?

Diligent in their responsibilities and dislike having work pile up.

How are individuals with the Conforming Style perceived by others?

They are perceived as highly dependable and industrious.

What is a common behavior of individuals with the Conforming Style before acting?

They always attempt to think things through before acting.

What type of thinking are individuals with the Conforming Style sometimes given to?

Dogmatic thinking.

How do individuals with the Conforming Style perceive controversial issues?

In terms of black-and-white, right-or-wrong extremes.

What is a key feature of the Conscientious Compulsive personality?

Exhibits a conforming dependency.

How do Conscientious Compulsives typically respond to rules and authority?

They comply with rules and authority.

What do Conscientious Compulsives tend to do regarding the wishes and expectations of others?

They are willing to submit to the wishes, values, expectations, and demands of others.

How do Conscientious Compulsives view themselves?

They see themselves as considerate, thoughtful, and cooperative.

What underlying feelings do Conscientious Compulsives mask with a strong sense of duty?

Feelings of personal inadequacy.

How do Conscientious Compulsives typically evaluate their accomplishments?

They minimize accomplishments and underplay abilities.

On what basis do Conscientious Compulsives grade their success?

On how well the expectations of others are fulfilled.

What insecurity do Conscientious Compulsives exhibit?

They exhibit an insecurity similar to the dependent.

How do Conscientious Compulsives believe they will be valued?

They believe they will be cared for, valued, and loved in direct proportion to their hard work and monumental accomplishments.

What is a huge liability for Conscientious Compulsives?

They fear that failure to perform perfectly will provoke abandonment and condemnation.

What inner sensations do Conscientious Compulsives experience?

They experience an inner sensation of tension and guilt.

What interpersonal patterns arise from the mixture of compulsive and dependent traits?

They exhibit a submissive interpersonal manner with superiors and an air of propriety and restraint around others.

What does the psychoanalytic perspective state about compulsive personalities?

Compulsive personalities struggle with resolving obedience and defiance.

How does the Puritanical compulsive experience obedience and defiance?

The Puritanical compulsive experiences this much more intensely.

What characteristics does the Puritanical compulsive exhibit?

The Puritanical compulsive experiences zealous defensiveness and guardedness.

What is the result of the Puritanical compulsive's characteristics?

It leads to an exaggeration of the basic compulsive pattern.

What is a key characteristic of the Puritanical Compulsive personality?

They project a combination of strength and purity.

What roles do Puritanical Compulsive individuals often hold?

They are often religious or political leaders.

How do Puritanical Compulsive individuals view the world?

They see it as composed of those who are 'all good' and 'all bad'.

What mindset do Puritanical Compulsive individuals typically have?

'Us vs. Them'

What type of beliefs do Puritanical Compulsive individuals gravitate toward?

Radical fundamentalism.

What is a notable aspect of the beliefs held by Puritanical Compulsive individuals?

They have a literal interpretation that defines who deserves absolute punishment.

What are the characteristics of the Bureaucratic Compulsive in relation to traditional values?

They ally themselves with traditional values, established authorities, and formal organizations.

How do Bureaucratic Compulsives feel about order and structure in recognized institutions?

They embrace the order and structure inherent in recognized institutions, authorities, and social mores.

In what type of settings do Bureaucratic Compulsives flourish?

They flourish in organized settings.

What aspects comfort and empower Bureaucratic Compulsives?

Clearly defined superior and subordinate relationships, definite roles, and known expectations and responsibilities.

What are the characteristics of the Bureaucratic Compulsive personality?

They have narcissistic features and use highly developed and formalized external structures.

How do Bureaucratic Compulsive individuals compensate for their internal ambivalence?

They fuse their identity with the system, achieving place, purpose, and protection.

What benefit do Bureaucratic Compulsive individuals gain from fusing their identity with the system?

It frees them from any anxiety involved with making independent decisions.

How are Bureaucratic Compulsive individuals perceived by their superiors?

They are seen as trustworthy, diligent, and faithfully committed to the goals and values of the institution.

What symbolic significance does miserliness take on in the Parsimonious Compulsive?

It takes on a symbolic significance related to self-protection.

What is a common behavior of the Parsimonious Compulsive regarding losses?

They are always wary of possible losses.

How do Parsimonious Compulsives typically behave in terms of sharing?

They are often selfish and niggardly.

What do Parsimonious Compulsives do to protect their possessions?

They keep a tight, self-protective grip on everything they possess.

What does the concern of the Parsimonious Compulsive shift from?

It shifts from identification with authority or organizational codes.

What does the concern of the Parsimonious Compulsive shift to?

It shifts to the security value of material goods.

What is the behavior statement of the Parsimonious Compulsive regarding ownership?

Their behavior states: 'What is mine is mine and what is yours is yours.'

What are the surface characteristics of the Bedeviled Compulsive?

They appear to be maintaining a controlled and austere front.

What internal struggle do Bedeviled Compulsives experience?

They struggle between the desire to conform to the wishes of others and the desire to subvert others to assert their own interests.

What is a consequence of the internal struggle for Bedeviled Compulsives?

They are unable to act decisively.

What behaviors do Bedeviled Compulsives exhibit due to their indecision?

They vacillate and procrastinate.

How do Bedeviled Compulsives feel due to their internal conflict?

They feel tormented and confused.

What personality traits do Bedeviled Compulsives develop as a result of their struggles?

They become cautious and timid.

What strategies do Bedeviled Compulsives use to delay decision-making?

They use complex rationales to delay making decisions as long as possible.