Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Definition

OCPD is a personality disorder characterized by preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism at the expense of flexibility or efficiency.

Analogy

Imagine OCPD as being like an overly strict librarian who insists every book must be perfectly aligned on the shelf. They're so focused on orderliness that they may neglect other important tasks or become inflexible when things don't go exactly as planned.

Related terms

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): An anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) or actions (compulsions).

Perfectionism: The setting of unrealistically demanding goals accompanied by a disposition to regard failure to achieve them as unacceptable and sign personal worthlessness.

Anankastic personality disorder: Another term used interchangeably with OCPD in some contexts; it refers to someone who has a compulsion for perfection and control.