| obsessive-compulsive disorder | An anxiety disorder characterised by recurrent, persistent obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are the intrusive ideas, thoughts, or images that are experienced as senseless or repugnant. Compulsions are repetitive and seemingly purposeful behaviour which the individual generally recognises as senseless and from which the individual does not derive pleasure although it may provide a release from tension. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| obsessive-compulsive neurosis | A disorder characterised by the persistent and repetitive intrusion of unwanted thoughts, urges, or actions that the individual is unable to prevent; the compulsive thoughts may consist of single words, ideas, or ruminations often perceived by the sufferer as nonsensical; the repetitive urges or actions vary from simple movements to complex rituals; anxiety or distress is the underlying emotion or drive state, and the ritualistic behaviour is a learned method of reducing the anxiety. Synonym: compulsive neurosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obsessive-compulsive personality | The personality of an individual whose overriding personal needs are manifested by a rigid, pervasive pattern of perfectionism and inflexibility, as he or she continually strives for clearly unattainable goals, to the point that such behaviour frequently interferes with the actual completion of tasks and projects. Synonym: obsessive personality. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obsessive-compulsive personality disorder | A psychological disorder with a pervasive pattern of inflexible perfectionism which begins by early adulthood as indicated by many of the following symptoms: an unattainable perfectionism with overly strict standards which often make it impossible to complete a task; preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or scheduling to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost; unreasonable insistence that others submit to exactly his or her way of doing things; an unnecessary, excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships; rumination to the point of indecisiveness; (6) overconscientiousness about matters of morality, ethics, or values; (7) restricted expression of affection; (8) lack of generosity in giving time, money, or gifts when no personal gain is likely to result; and (9) an inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value. Synonym: obsessional neurosis. (05 Mar 2000) |