Anankastia in personality disorder or personality difficulty

The core feature of the Anankastia trait domain is a narrow focus on one’s rigid standard of perfection and of right and wrong, and on controlling one’s own and others’ behaviour and controlling situations to ensure conformity to these standards. Common manifestations of Anankastia, not all of which may be present in a given individual at a given time, include:

• Perfectionism. Perfectionism is manifested in concern with social rules, obligations, norms of right and wrong; scrupulous attention to detail; rigid, systematic, day-to-day routines; excessive scheduling and planning; and an emphasis on organization, orderliness, and neatness. Individuals high on Anankastia have a very clear and detailed personal sense of perfection and imperfection that also extends beyond community standards to encompass the individual’s idiosyncratic notions of what is perfect and right. They believe strongly that everyone should follow all rules exactly and meet all obligations. Individuals with high on Anankastia may redo the work of others because it does not meet their perfectionistic standards. They have difficulty in interpersonal relationships because they hold others to the same standards as themselves and are inflexible in their views.
• Emotional and behavioural constraint. Emotional and behavioural constraint is manifested in rigid control over emotional expression, stubbornness and inflexibility, risk-avoidance, perseveration, and deliberativeness. Individuals with prominent Anankastic traits tightly control their own emotional expression and disapprove of others’ displays of emotion. They are inflexible and lack spontaneity, stubbornly insisting on following set schedules and adhering to plans. Their risk-avoidance includes both refusal to engage in obviously risky activities and a more general over-concern about avoiding potential negative consequences of any activity. They often perseverate and have difficulty disengaging from tasks because they are perceived as not yet perfect down to the last detail. They are highly deliberative and have difficulty making decisions due to concern that they have not considered every aspect and all alternatives to ensure that the right decision is made.