Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a personality disorder involved with rules, perfection and structure. Perception of imperfection generally leads to anxiety in people with OCPD. They tend to focus on rules and structure for themselves and their families. OCPD is different than Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is an anxiety disorder.
On the surface, OCPD seems harmless with its drive for perfection and may even seem useful. However, OCPD pushes it past the line of success and into the realm of isolation, anxiety and even depression. The person's world perspective has mostly always been skewed with expectations that differ from the rest of her culture.
There is a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with rules, orderliness, perfectionism and, mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness and efficiency, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.
TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) views OCPD as a symptom of internal disharmony of the Yin & Yang systems, often combined with attack of external pathogenic factors. In general, it is caused by Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, Phlegm combined with excessive Yang. In addition, there can be problems with Liver (hence Gall Bladder) and Heart. Treatments involve freeing the Qi blockages, easing the Liver, eliminating the Phlegm to open the orifices, nourishing the Blood, and strengthening the Heart and Spleen.