DSM IV OCPD Criteria
(Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder)
A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:
1) is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
2) shows 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)
3) is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)
4) is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)
5) is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value
6) is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things
7) adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes
8) shows rigidity and stubbornness
Replies
Thanks bob,
I thank you for your personal and professional response. I had a flash while reading your reply. I hope, as you do, that whatever large wake-up call that may come is not too devastating to our planet (including her people). Our current capitalistic definition of a “functioning” human being (able to work and pay taxes) has even left behind the ability to love as a characteristic of a whole human being. I also worry that by only treating symptoms the core issues will only “pop out” in some other form. Call me an idealist (actually Myers-Briggs does), but I think DP has more to offer than that. I also wonder if we (and I am a counselor/therapist) don’t patch up the client/patient allowing the continued wounding created by societal values. Okay, I know, one soul at a time. In fact, that is an affirmation I read in your response. One person more closely individuated will be able to make a greater difference in his/her society than attempting some kind of global DP shakedown.
My own analyst will get an earful this time. :)
That being said, what conditions would make a person a good candidate for Jungian/archetypal approaches?
My concern: Have we abandoned Jungian and post-Jungian understandings and approaches to mental illness? Are such approaches only for the wealthy seeking "wholeness," the new age guru's reworking of Jungian concepts to fill up workshops (without giving proper credits), or Jungian groups that like to get together and speak the esoteric language? (Can you hear my assumptions, frustrations, and my call here?)
Okay (taking a deep breath), where does depth psychology provide the base for personal and societal transformation? I love theory (brain candy) but where does depth psychology assist people with DSM-diagnosable illnesses, or do they?