Perfectionism
Those with OCPD have an excessive demand for perfection, which manifests as an obsession with cleanliness and maintaining strict control over one’s life. The characteristics of OCPD may also be advantageous in some contexts; for instance, an individual who is very committed to their work and meticulous about every detail may succeed in their professional careers while having difficulty in other parts of their life. However, these stifle creativity, efficiency, and openness.
They may have difficulty finishing tasks due to their obsessive attention to detail, which causes them to spend too much time on relatively unimportant activities. This can compound into poor time management and frustrations. A person with OCPD may take up to 20 minutes longer than the average person to write out a check or send an envelope to avoid making any errors.
People with OCPD struggle in the workplace due to their drive for perfectionism and are frequently blind to the consequences of their behavior. Obsessive people tend to think absolutes, seeing no shades of gray between extreme positions, and will use it to criticize other people. Those who suffer from OCPD tend to believe that their behaviors are meaningful and may hesitate to get treatment.
