Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, according to the DSM-5, are overly concerned with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, a pattern that begins by early adulthood and includes four or more of the following:
- A preoccupation with order and details that results in the person missing the point of an activity
- Perfectionism that hinders the completion of tasks
- Devotion to work and productivity to an extent that is excessive and not explained by economic needs
- Excessive conscientiousness and inflexibility related to morality or values (not explained by one's culture or religion)
- Inability to get rid of worn or worthless objects, even if they lack sentimental value
- Reluctance to delegate tasks to or work with others unless things are done his or her way
- Reluctance to spend money on oneself or others and a belief that money should be hoarded for emergencies
- Rigidity and stubbornness
People with OCPD may face challenges in their work or social life related to these symptoms. For example, they may delay starting or finishing a task because they cannot settle on the "best" or "right" way to complete it. A loss of control in particular situations may provoke frustration. Those with OCPD often have difficulty expressing feelings of affection and may be uncomfortable with others' expressions of emotion. They may also not appreciate how their insistence on thoroughness negatively impacts others.
OCPD can also share some characteristics with other personality disorders, but there are important differences. While people with narcissistic personality disorder may look down on the abilities of others, for example, they are unlikely to be self-critical in the way that those with OCPD are. Similarly, those with other personality disorders may be disinclined to give to others but lack the financial self-constraint associated with OCPD.