OCD is primarily characterized by obsessions or compulsions, or both.

Obsessions and compulsions are "technically" both a part of our daily cognitive repertoire and can include intrusive thoughts that spontaneously pop into people's minds or the repetitive behaviors that are driven by cultural superstitions, religious beliefs, or useful habits like brushing teeth or nightly routines.

OCPD marks the extreme of a conscientious personality style, which consists of the following traits: hard work, always doing the right thing, completing things the right way, perfectionism, perseverance, orderliness, prudence, and accumulation of things for future use.

All these traits may...