10 Signs of an Obsessive-Compulsive Narcissist - Dr. Todd Grande

In this video, Dr. Grande explains the concept of the obsessive-compulsive narcissist, a personality blend combining traits of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). He clarifies that while OCD involves intrusive thoughts and rituals, OCPD is about perfectionism and rigidity. The obsessive-compulsive narcissist embodies the perfectionistic drive of OCPD with the entitlement and grandiosity of narcissism, resulting in a person who insists on flawless execution and demands constant validation of their correctness and superiority. Dr. Grande notes that this combination leads to unique relational challenges: for example, an obsessive focus on small negatives, an intense desire for perfect knowledge, and an inability to admit mistakes.

He outlines ten signs of this personality style, including needing to win every interaction, justifying errors instead of learning from them, extreme sensitivity about intellect, and using others’ perceived lack of precision as ammunition for criticism. While these individuals sometimes excel in professional settings—where their detail orientation can be mistaken for productivity—they often alienate romantic partners and family members who feel constantly judged and controlled. Ultimately, Dr. Grande emphasizes that relationships with obsessive-compulsive narcissists leave little room for human error or compromise, eroding connection over time.