Understanding My O.C.P.D.

Simply quote and reply to this message with how you fit the DSM-IV's criterion for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

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 by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:


[1] is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.



[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)



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



[4] is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)



[5] is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value



[6] is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things



[7] adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes



[8] shows rigidity and stubbornness

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 by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:


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

I am always up to date on what the rules are anywhere I go, and I run my life based on organization and schedules. I'm also extremely detail-oriented. I have a really hard time with "spontaneous activity" that is not listed on my "schedule," and everything I do is on a list.

[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)

I am an extreme perfectionist, especially in spelling and grammar. I am also an art major and it takes me FOREVER to finish projects, simply because I don't know when good is good enough. Sometimes my perfectionism drives me to "go insane" when things are not positioned the "right way" on a table, or when something as simple as a blanket has a wrinkle in it.

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

I really do not have any friends because the only things that I have learned to make time for is work, schoolwork, and somehow, my fiancé. Even he sometimes feels that I work too much and spend too little time with him. The rare bit of time that I do spend with him I usually spend trying to be productive or doing schoolwork. Even in my procrastination I attempt to be productive (through compulsively cleaning).

[4] is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

I'm not sure that I fit this criterion. I am very religious, but I am willing to listen to and consider others ideas on matters such as morality, ethics, and values. However, it is very rare that my opinions are swayed on matters of morality, ethics, and values unless it is done by my own research, not by others opinions.

[5] is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

I personally have been trying to work on this, but it is extremely hard. I have always been a pack-rat. For example, I kept a pair of shoes that had holes in the bottom. My mom tried to throw them away, and I freaked out. I still thought that they were of use because I filled the holes with hot glue. Hey, works for me. I also find myself keeping broken things, thinking that I can fix them, or pieces of objects, thinking I will use them for an art project, but never do.

[6] is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

I hate group projects because I feel like they won't do things the right way. I would much rather work by myself because I trust myself to do it correctly.

[7] adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

I have always had difficulty spending money. I am afraid that something will happen where I will need money and I won't have it. So, I save it whenever I get it. I hate it when someone costs me money by eating my food or ruining/losing something. I hate it because then I have to spend money to replace it. This really affects my ability to share with others and many friends feel as if I do not trust them.

[8] shows rigidity and stubbornness

I'm not sure if I fit this one entirely, but I've been told on several occasions that I am stubborn. However, I know I am very inflexible in several areas of life and really prefer things to be done my way. It just seems like the best way.

I've decided to do these little by little because I know I won't otherwise, so sorry if it's all fragmented.

[1] is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.

I definitely am a stickler for rules and details. I sometimes would love to break rules, but I never would intentionally. I get annoyed if I have something organized and others mess it up or change it to their way. I'm starting to realize just how much things not being clean bothers me, although up until a couple weeks ago I didn't think this really applied to me. I think as long as I don't have the mess constantly in front of me or have to live in it I don't care. I don't see my parent's house as mine, so if they don't care why should I, although I know I don't like this about them. Lately I've been trying not to really make schedules because I don't want to feel bad when/if I break them. This isn't going well because I feel lazy and that I'm wasting time.

[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)

I never really have had trouble with this, as I normally left plenty of time and sacrificed elsewhere to do well. Once in 11th grade I skipped 2 days of school, working all day, to finish an assignment that I had set way too high standards for myself for (although I didn't realize it until after seeing all the other students' work). Even then, I felt my result was worth the effort, at the same time being annoyed that I didn't get more recognition for my hard work. I get very stressed and angry at myself if I am given an assignment and not enough time, especially if I am the only one not keeping up.


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

This definitely applies to me. I got very depressed for a while when I realized just how lonely I was and how much fun I had missed out on. I don't think I enjoy life, and rarely have. I am glad exercise was a necessity on my list of things to do, at least that kept me in shape and from being too anti-social. I think I would have liked it much more if I had actually done it for fun and not another form of work.

[4] is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

I'm finding out that even my view of religion has been affected by OCPD. At least three or four times I've been told by priests in confession that I am being too hard on myself. I once was told to read a poem titled, "My Own Heart, Let Me Have More Pity On." That helped me a lot. Maybe I'll post it in the Faith and Prayer topic...


[5] is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

I got rid of a lot when I entered the convent (as I never imagined I would ever need it again), which was sooooo satisfying. I threw out tons of notes from middle school, high school, and college; clothes/shoes/elementary school hair accessories; and. I kept (and still have...) almost every single mechanical pencil I used (once I switched to the ones that come in huge packs). They won't write any more because the lead kept sliding back into the pencil under any pressure, but the erasers weren't worn out and there was still lead left in them. I can see how this is ridiculous because I won't use them and no one else will...but...I don't know...it bugs me to just throw them out. I'm waiting till I can throw them out without caring. Or an "old mechanical pencil" drive...


[6] is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

I never have liked group work. I seem to be getting better at this, though. More so because I am seeing more of the ways I need to improve on my part, and it seems to be taking more and more energy to concern myself with their stuff too. This might be good, but I always compare my progress to theirs and if mine is slower, messier, worse in any way I get very angry at myself (which has an increasing frequency of showing itself by tears, annoyingly at my age).


[7] adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

I don't think I've done this too much at all. Perhaps I mentioned this elsewhere, but I in high school I learned to write left handed (I'm write handed) in case I were ever to break my right arm. That way I'd be prepared. Plus it might in the future help me to take non-stop notes in classes if I got fast enough. I guess that falls under this category.

[8] shows rigidity and stubbornness

I wrote a lot on this and then deleted it because I was saying how this doesn't apply, but I kept thinking of more and more exceptions. Granted, I have a major fear of disappointing anyone, so if I feel it is my duty to do something, that I will be letting someone down unneccesarily, then I will try to please them as best as possible.

I never really thought I had the "I'm RIGHT, you're WRONG!" point of view, but all of a sudden it seems much more evident. I may not voice that opinion, but it definitely is something I think. Not that I've ever used those exact words, but it underlies most of my daily life.

My therapist pointed out how a lot of what we've talked about so far points to this. He's going to try something with me. Brainwashing No, really. I have to come up with a phrase, something short, that I will be able to say every time I fall back into thinking my way is best. I'm not what else is involved. When I go back to therapy he will see if what I came up with will be good enough. It has to be short and simple and cannot contain negatives or absolutes. Hmm

brownie wrote:

Brainwashing

This makes a lot of sense now. Brainwashing does have a lot of negative conotation with it that almost turned me off of it completely at the beginning, but I think it is helping. By repeating the phrase over and over to myself it makes it so that that phrase starts being what comes to mind more often. Granted, just because it comes to mind doesn't mean it will do anything unless I act on it, but it plays as a constant reminder to me and will give me a much better attitude, hopefully.

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 by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:


[1] is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.

I do write lists upon lists, of things that I need to do, buy or whatever. I find myself many days, just before going home from work, doodling on a pad my schedule for the rest of the evening, down to the amount of time it takes me to get from one place to another, and do little things.


[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)

I find that nothing I do is ever good enough, and tend to stall towards the end of any project, because I dont want to 'hand in' whatever it is I am doing...I am constantly fearful that anything I do will be judged 'lacking'


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

OK, fact is, i really dont have any friends...not real ones..I have acquaintances at work, 'co-laborers' at church, and family (that i am related to but not close to.) It has to be about 5+ years since I went to a movie with someone (I usually go alone since it is no longer cool for my teenager to go to the movies with his mom...lol). If I do something with someone outside work or church, there is a reason behind it...a job to do. I don't do anything to just 'have fun', I feel like I am wasting time and it then causes anxiety.



[4] is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

I want to say I dont have an issue with this...I feel like I am just following my faith....until I was reminded that many years ago, I walked away from God for a while because I just could not measure up. Being a Christian is all about understanding that we could never be perfect and Christ came to pay a debt we never could, yet somewhere in my head, I decided that I was not a good enough Christian (I was not in any major sin or anything, I just didn't measure up to what I thought I should be like by that time in my walk.) I remember my exact words to God were,'I deserve hell and if YOU aren't smart enough to send me there, they I will send MYSELF there!' And I spiraled out of control. I went 'all bad' It was ten years before I found my way back...


[5] is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

I think there is some truth to this..although alot of what I have does have sentimental value. My mother died in 1995 and I still have her jewelry box that my dad gave me to divide up the jewelry....I never have. it is all costume jewelry, none of it in style,but I wont get rid of it..it is my mom's....
But I also noticed that I will keep broken items stored around hoping to fix them and even keep it after I bought a replacement.



[6] is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

Not reluctant...try refuse..to delegate tasks...I remember in school, when we had to pair up with someone, I would always try to pair up with the laziest kids....everyone wanted to partner with me (I was grade school valedictorian). I would pick a kid that did not want to do any of the work, so I could do it all without any 'interuption' from them. I was happy they didn't inerfere with my work, and they were happy to get an A without doing work.
Nowadays, I still have trouble having anyone under me. Occasionally at work we get interns for the summer (just got one) and I always tell my supervisor that I have no use for one, since by the time I train them right , the summer is over and it is just a waste of my time.
Also at church, I run the entire sound system and I try to train new sound techs, but no one has stuck yet...they show up late, leave early, and I don't know how to change that. the one person that I trained the most extensively just stopped. I guess it wasn't her thing.



[7] adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

when I first read the criteria 'money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes' I thought, OMG that is ME.....but I will spend money on other people..I cannot get myself to spend money on me unless it is a severe necessity. One Christmas someone at my church gave me a $100 GIFT CARD, saying I needed to do something for myself, and that I was to use the card to get a massage....I wished it had been a gift certificate to the spa, instead of a gift card....I debated till JUNE, feeeling guilty if I spend it on anything other than a massage, which is what it was given to me for, but kept debating...how much food I could buy with that or clothes for my son, or new hockey skates for him, etc...I finally got the massage and hated it because I layed there thinking of the money being rubbed away....she finished one arm, I thought, 'there goes $10', after a leg, 'that's $20'..I divided my body parts up to total $100 and by the time my massage was done, I was stressed out and had a migraine...




[8] shows rigidity and stubbornness

I guess this is where I will put in my issue with time...I make sure I am always on time to everyplace (which means 10 min before start time), and when people are late around me and it messes up the schedule, it causes such anxiety....I try to hold in my anger and I end up just turning it in on myself.

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 by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

I live in a family with instable structures and personalitys. Since my childhood I´ve restoring order in my instable family. It´s very stressful to organize my whole family life. I´ve immolated myself for the family and the children.

[1] is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.

I am so anankastic in all things and details. For example I´ll make me a copy of my reply here for me. I must fix all things in my life. I´m writing for my therapy an own program.

[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)

I´m suffering a blockade by working over and over.

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

I´ve deleted my life for family and stability because I´ve wanted to secure the well-being of the children. And I´ve readed a lot of books. My thirst for knowledge was so excessive.

[4] is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

In some things I am very rigid, for example in all cases where children are inferior. I have my ethical principles.

[5] is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

Yes, it´s troublesome to organize a lot of things which I could cast away.

[6] is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

I think I can do it better because I am working exactly.

[7] adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

I can pay the commitments only if we have a certain amount on the accounts.

[8] shows rigidity and stubbornness

I am very unflexible.