Many people are shackled by their own rigidity and perfectionism. They struggle to experience life to the fullest, and to have positive and fulfilling relationships with those around them. They are hung up on feeling annoyed, critical, or judgmental toward others. They get fixated on the negative rather than focusing on the positive. They struggle to tolerate other people and different environments, and so they resort to repetitive and comforting behaviors in order to soothe themselves in the face of stress.

This book was written for those with OCPD (obsessive–compulsive personality disorder) as well as the loved ones of those with OCPD. We will explain what OCPD is and discuss its causes. We will then go into the various ways that a person with OCPD can seek to be more open, less rigid and perfectionistic, and experience less overall frustration with life. It is often useful for people with OCPD to have the assistance of a person without OCPD while they work through their rigidity.