Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) refers to a personality disorder characterized by pervasive preoccupation with extreme perfectionism, orderliness, and control without any room for flexibility. This type of control ultimately impacts the ability to finish tasks. People who suffer from OCPD feel the need to impose their extreme standards on other people in their environment. Since they often feel the need to control things, they mostly end up being alone in their endeavors because they tend to mistrust other people's help.
According to research, OCPD affects 2.1-7.9% of the general population and is common among men than women. Perfectionism, restricted range of emotion, and familial traits of compulsivity are believed to contribute to OCPD.
Signs and symptoms of OCPD
Here are the symptoms of OCPD.
Obsession with perfectionism
People who suffer from OCPD have a pervasive preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control of themselves, which often leads to the lack of flexibility interfering with effectiveness and openness. These people insist that things must be done in specific ways; therefore, they are rigid and stubborn.
Pay extraordinary attention to details.
Patients with OCPD tend to pay extraordinary attention to detail. They maintain an extra sense of control and focus on rues, lists, procedures, schedules, and minute details. That leads to the loss of the main point in a project because they repeatedly check for mistakes, often leaving the most important task until the end resulting in poor use of their time. Their obsession with detail and avoiding mistakes can endlessly delay the completion and effectiveness of projects. They often forget about the other aspects of their life when they focus on one task.
Difficulty delegating tasks
In a work situation, people with OCPD are not aware of how their behavior impacts other workers. Since they want everything to be perfect and done in a specific way, these people have difficulty delegating tasks, especially when working with other people. They may make a list about how a particular task is to be implemented and become upset if another person suggests otherwise. They often reject help even when they are behind schedule.
Neglect relationships and leisure activities
People with OCPD have an excessive obsession with work and productivity, which is not motivated by financial necessity. Therefore they neglect close relationships and leisure activities. They often think that they do not have the time to go out with friends or relax. Even if they do, they may take work with them so that they do not waste time.
Find it hard to express their feelings.
One of the OCPD symptoms is finding it hard to express oneself. People suffering from OCPD relate to others more formally and seriously. They focus on logic and intellect and are more intolerant of expressive or emotional behavior.
Harshly self-critical
These people are rigid on morality, ethics, and values. They are harshly self-critical and apply stiff moral principles to themselves and others, and may insist on strict compliance to rules with no exceptions.
Other symptoms
People with OCPD feel righteous, indignant, and sometimes angry. They often experience self-isolation and can suffer the anxiety that comes with depression.
Treatment
OCPD is treated through cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and other general treatment therapies for personality disorders.
CONCLUSION
The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder may reduce over time, but their persistence in terms of relapse and remission is less clear.
