Which statement best describes the clinical features of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

• A. Rigidity, seriousness and formality; emotional constriction; no spontaneity; perfectionistic; few friends due to inflexibility; hoard money and items; stable marriages; lean toward highly structured occupations
• B. Dramatic and attention-seeking behavior
• C. Emotional lability and impulsivity
• D. Social withdrawal and fear of relationships

Answer: (A)

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is defined by a pervasive pattern of orderliness, perfectionism, and need for control that comes at the expense of flexibility and spontaneity. The statement that best fits this pattern describes someone who is rigid, serious, and formal with emotional constriction and a lack of spontaneity, driven by perfectionism and a need to maintain control. This frequently leads to few friends due to inflexibility, a miserliness or hoarding tendency with money and possessions, and a preference for highly structured, predictable work. Relationships can be stable because the person is dependable, but the overall style is one of meticulousness and control rather than warmth or adaptability. The other options illustrate features of different personality disorders—dramatic and attention-seeking behavior (histrionic), emotional lability and impulsivity (often seen in borderline), and social withdrawal with fear of relationships (avoidant)—which do not fit the Pervasive, rigid, perfectionistic pattern of OCPD.