Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Analytical Hypnotherapists would tend to view OCD really as an Obsessional Neurosis - because there is often very little 'compulsive' content: A compulsion is a sudden immediate impulse to do something, when the activity has been performed the person feels some sense of reward, the impulse doesn't return (at least no straight away) An obsession is something that is thought about continually, is never far from the persons mind, never brings a feeling of reward (though a feeling of 'deferment' is sometimes felt), and the activity is soon being brooded about again.

For the record then, the D.S.M.4 criteria for Obsessive Compulsive 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, organisation, 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.
4. is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values.
5. is unable to discard worn out or useless objects even when they have no sentimental value
6. is reluctant to delegate tasks or work to 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 something to be hoarded for future catastrophies
8. shows rigidity and stubbornness.