Perfectionism in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder patients

Abstract

Considerable theory and anecdotal evidence has suggested that patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are more perfectionistic. Evidence with non-clinical populations supports this hypothesis. However, no data are available on levels of perfectionism among patients diagnosed with OCD. The present study extends findings on perfectionism and OCD by comparing perfectionism levels of OCD-diagnosed patients with those of non-patients and a group of patients diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). As predicted, patients with OCD had significantly elevated scores on Total Perfectionism, Concern Over Mistakes, and Doubts About Actions compared to non-patient controls. However, they did not differ from patients with PDA on Total Perfectionism or Concern Over Mistakes. Patients with OCD did have higher Doubts About Actions scores than those with PDA. The implications for the role of perfectionism in OCD and other anxiety disorders are discussed.