Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), or anankastic personality disorder, is a personality disorder that is characterized by a general psychological inflexibility, rigid conformity to rules and procedures, perfectionism, and excessive orderliness.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is often confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is ego-dystonic where OCPD is ego-syntonic. This is to say, those with OCD know their behavior is problematic where the symptoms of OCPD are part of a person's personality and are generally unaware of problematic behaviors.

Those who are suffering from OCPD do not generally feel the need to repeatedly perform ritualistic actions (such as excessive hand-washing), while this is a common symptom of OCD. Instead, people with OCPD tend to stress perfectionism above all else, and feel anxious when they perceive that things are not "right."

People with OCPD may hoard money, keep their home perfectly organized, or be anxious about delegating tasks for fear that they won't be completed correctly. There are three primary areas that cause anxiety for OCPD personalities: time, dirt and money. There are few moral gray areas for a person with OCPD; actions and beliefs are either completely right, or absolutely wrong. As might be expected, interpersonal relationships are difficult because of the excessive demands placed on friends, romantic partners, and children.

The DSM-IV-TR defines that for a patient to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, they must exhibit at least four of the following traits:

Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, bodily functions, or schedules to the
extent that the major point of the activity is lost.

Showing 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).

Excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not
accounted for by obvious economic necessity).

Being over conscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not
accounted for by cultural or religious identification).

Inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.

Reluctance to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of
doing things.

Adopting a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be
hoarded for future catastrophes.

Showing rigidity and stubbornness.

Urge to perfect every little thing.

It is important to note that while a person may exhibit any or all of the characteristics of a personality disorder, it is not diagnosed as a disorder unless the person has trouble leading a normal life due to these issues.

OCD is ego dystonic, meaning that the disorder is incompatible with the sufferer's self-concept. Because disorders that are ego dystonic go against an individual's perception of his/herself, they tend to cause much distress. OCPD, on the other hand, is ego syntonic meaning the individual accepts that the characteristics displayed as a result of this disorder are compatible with his/her self-image. Ego syntonic disorders understandably cause no distress. People who suffer from OCPD tend to derive pleasure from their obsessions or compulsions, while those with OCD do not feel pleasure but are ridden with anxiety. This is a significant difference between these disorders.

Concluding a prevalence rate is very difficult because OCPD is ego-syntonic therefore most people will try to deny that anything is mentally wrong with them, hence they usually don't even consider seeking treatment. Sadly, because OCPD is a condition where sufferers are in denial about their irrational mental state they will often choose to live with it, continuing to suffer and allowing it to completely overrun their lives.

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