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Below we've listed the DSM-IV definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, and described the Bible's diagnosis and treatment throughout. We hope this helps your best friend.

DSM-IV definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

If you could summarize this disorder in one word, it would be control. The Bible teaches us to do the exact opposite: let go of control and give it to God, surrendering our wills, plans, desires, thoughts and behaviors to Him:

Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

Luk 9:23 And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

God has bought our lives with the blood of His Son--He owns us now. We really have no right as Christians to control our own lives after we have asked Christ to be our Lord. Being our Lord means He is now our master over everything in our lives: our finances, our job or ministry, our thought-life, our wills, our marriage, children and friends--everything. By retaining control over any area of our life, we think we will be better off, while in reality we cheat ourselves out of God's best for us in that area.

    1. is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost

This person has lost perspective. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and faith in the Lord produces the fruit of a sound mind. It takes wisdom and a sound mind to keep the major point the major point.

    2. shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)

I (Ryan) used to be a perfectionist. Then I realized a powerful truth: if you pray with zest and do your best, God will take care of the rest. Do everything as unto the Lord, with all my heart, and then leave the results to Him. If it falls short of my expectations or standards, that's alright. My judge is God, not myself or others. Jesus was the only perfect person who has ever lived. God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but faithful to Him. God is into trust, not performance. Realizing this will translate into our everyday lives and permeate everything we do.

    3. is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)

This behavior relates to a performance-based mentality that engrains us from childhood. Then we grow up and realize the world is all about performance, too. But God would rather I choose to spend time with Him, and loving others, over excessive hours at the office, on the farm or in the kitchen. He is more interested in people than in performance and productivity. This goes against everything we're taught to believe in this world, but then again, Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world.

    4. is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)

Without the parentheses, all Christians would have OCD! With the parentheses, someone like this might easily miss the heart and intent of something because he or she is hung up on a legalistic thought or rule of some sort. God generally looks at the intent and the motive, more than He looks at the outward action.

    5. is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value

A heart attached to worthless and worn-out things is simply covetousness. This person should realize that possessions are meaningless:

Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

    6. is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things

It is truly a blessing when you see God doing things around you through others after you "let go" and trust God. Doing it all yourself or controlling exactly the way others do things will result in burnout in yourself and unhealthy relationships with others--it's a miserable way to live.

    7. adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes

Again, the issue is control, here mixed with fear: "It's my money, and I need to hoard it for a rainy day." There is certainly nothing wrong with having a savings for the future, but this behavior does this at the expense of normal spending for self, and generous giving to others. The Bible would say something like: "It's God's money, and I need to be a good steward of it until judgment day." When you realize it's God's money, it's easier to let go and trust God with your finances, giving to others and spending on yourself appropriately--being a good steward of what God has entrusted to you.

    8. shows rigidity and stubbornness

This behavior goes back to the need to control rather than be flexible and trust God for the results. A pastor has said, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break." Not being in control anymore means we must forsake our pride, humble ourselves, and admit that God knows better than we do. Then we are led by the Spirit instead of leading ourselves, and flexibility and blessing replace rigidity and stubbornness.