680 Personality Disorders
the person’s character. These qualities should not be accounted for by the individual’s cul-
tural or religious identification.
Individuals with this disorder may be unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects,
even when they have no sentimental value (C riterion 5). Often these individuals will ad-
mit to being “pack rats.” They regard discar ding objects as wastef ul because “you never
know when you might need something” and will become upset if someone tries to get rid of
the things they have saved. Their spouses or roommates may complain about the amount of
space taken up by old parts, magazines, broken appliances, and so on. 
Individuals with obsessive-compulsive pers onality disorder are reluctant to delegate
tasks or to work with others (Criterion 6). They stubbornly and unreasonably insist that
everything be done their way and that people  conform to their way of doing things. They
often give very detaile d instructions about how things should be done (e.g., there is one
and only one way to mow the lawn, wash the dishes, build a doghouse) and are surprised
and irritated if others suggest creative alternat ives. At other times they may reject offers of
help even when behind schedule because th ey believe no one else can do it right.
Individuals with this disorder may be miserly and stingy and maintain a standard of
living far below what they can afford, believing that spending must be tightly controlled to
provide for future catastrophes (Criterion 7) . Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
is characterized by rigidity and stubbornness (Criterion 8). Individuals with this disorder
are so concerned about having things done the one “correct” way that they have trouble
going along with anyone else’s ideas. These individuals plan ahead in meticulous detail