Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is best described as which?

• A. A personality disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of excessive perfectionism, orderliness, mental and interpersonal control, inability to compromise, and an exaggerated sense of moral responsibility
• B. A mood disorder with fear of social situations
• C. A personality disorder characterized by dramatic, attention-seeking behavior
• D. A neurodevelopmental disorder

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing a personality pattern that is enduring, pervasive, and ego-syntonic—people view their way of thinking and behaving as appropriate rather than distressing. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder fits this by describing a pervasive pattern of excessive perfectionism, preoccupation with orderliness, mental and interpersonal control, and a reluctance to delegate or compromise, often accompanied by an inflated sense of moral responsibility. Because these traits are seen as acceptable by the person and are stable across settings, this diagnosis captures a long-standing style of functioning rather than episodic distress.

This differs from other disorders that involve different kinds of problems. A mood disorder characterized by fear of social situations points to social anxiety disorder, which is about anxiety in social contexts rather than a pervasive personality pattern. A dramatic, attention-seeking pattern sounds like histrionic personality disorder, which is about volatility in interpersonal style rather than rigid perfectionism and control. A neurodevelopmental disorder refers to conditions like autism spectrum or ADHD, which involve early-onset developmental features rather than a stable personality style.