What is OC(P)D?

OCPD is an intense preoccupation with perfectionism, organization and control. People with OCPD have rigid beliefs and need to have control of themselves, others and situations. It usually begins in the late teens or early 20's but can start in childhood.

OCDP causes people to be inflexible and rigid in their thinking & behavior, which negatively impacts their work, completing tasks and their relationships, yet they typically don't see a problem until it's negatively impacted their life (like the loss of a job or relationship).

Common symptoms of OCPD:

• Preoccupation with lists, details, order and organization
• Perfectionism that interferes with completing tasks.
• Inflexible or scrupulous about moral, ethical or religious issues.
• Has an excessive devotion to work and productivity that results in neglecting hobbies and spending less time with loved ones.
• Struggles with consistent doubt and indecisiveness.
• Avoid what they perceive to be failure.
• Rigid and stubborn in their beliefs and ways of doing things.
• Unwillingness to compromise.
• Struggles to throw items away.
• Have difficulty working with others or letting others do tasks unless they agree to do things exactly as the person wants.
• Frugal in their spending habits and forces this on others.
• Frequently become overly fixated on a single idea, task or belief.
• Perceive everything as “black or white” (dichotomous thinking).
• Has difficulty coping with criticism.
• Over-focus on flaws in other people.

Underlying OCPD's need for control are feelings of discomfort (low-level anxiety), but these feelings are often suppressed and  overshadowed by anger and rage. People with OCPD often project their beliefs and expectations onto others, especially those closest to them.