Personality Types Susceptible to Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Personality Types Susceptible to Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Obsessive-compulsive states seem to develop in certain personality types,

and under certain conditions. The obsessional person is usually rigid

and conscientious and has great aspirations. He has a formal, reserved

manner, with precise and careful movements and posture; he takes

responsibility seriously and finds decision making difficult. He lacks creativ­ity and the ability to find alternate solutions to his problems. Such a person has a tendency to be painfully accurate and complete—carefully qualifying his statements to avoid making a mistake and anticipating every

move and gesture of the person to whom he speaks. His affect is flat and unemotional except for controlled anxiety. Self-awareness is totally intellectual, without accompanying emotion or feeling.