Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory exhibits traits consistent with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), including a need for control, order, and perfectionism. In the episode "The Closure Alternative", Amy confronts Sheldon about his compulsive behaviors and inability to leave tasks unfinished. She subjects Sheldon to incomplete activities to prove her point, causing his frustration to increase. After Amy leaves, Sheldon proceeds to complete all the unfinished tasks, demonstrating that those with OCPD feel a strong need to seek closure in all activities. The episode illustrates how OCPD can affect people's lives and behaviors.

1. OCD and
The Big Bang Theory

2. ~Psychology Basis~

3. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is defined as a preoccupation with orderliness,
perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility,
openness, and efficiency.
This can lead to difficulties with friends and family members in social situations

4. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
While both sexes can have this disorder it occurs more often in men
Begins to manifest in teens or early twenties
Treatments include talk therapy and medication, though they work better when combined
Must be Diagnosed Professionally

5. ~Media~

6. The Big Bang Theory
This is Sheldon Cooper
Sheldon is a genius
Sheldon is a physicist
Sheldon is a Student at the California Institute of Technology

7. ~Connection~

8. Connection
Sheldon has OCPD as illustrated throughout
the series, though it is most addressed in
the episode “The Closure Alternative”
With his couch Sheldon refuses to let anyone
sit in what he has claimed is “his spot”
This shows a need for control and a lack of
flexibility
Sheldon’s spot on the couch

9. Connection
This Is Amy Farrah Fowler, a friend of Sheldon’s starting in
season 3
Amy is very much like Sheldon in many ways
Amy tries to assist Sheldon with getting over his OCPD in “The
Closure Alternative”

10. Connection
Amy confronts Sheldon on his OCD (Truly it
is OCPD) in the fact that he needs closure
in all things
Sheldon denies this fact
Amy knocks to the tune “A Shave and a
Haircut” but does finish it
Sheldon finishes with the knocks for “Two
Bits” proclaiming that it proves nothing

11. Connection
Amy devises multiple activities to do with
Sheldon these include
Tic-Tac-Toe
Singing the National Anthem
Blowing out Birthday candles
Playing with a Jack-in-the-Box
Knocking over dominoes
Throughout these activities Sheldon
becomes increasingly frustrated as Amy

12. Connection
At the end of the episode Sheldon seems to
be getting over this compulsion
The moment Amy leaves, however, Sheldon
proceeds to go around and finish all the
activities Amy refused to let him
complete, proving her correct in the
process

13. My Take
This episode shows that those with OCPD will find a way to do what they feel needs to be
done
Though there was a slight mis-naming of Sheldon’s OCPD to OCD tendencies this can be
ignored as Sheldon does display both of these throughout the series.
Overall I like this episode and how it illustrates how this sort of neurological disorder can
affect our lives.

14. References
Wikipedia
Search Big Bang Theory and/or Sheldon Cooper
Big Bang Wiki
Bigbangtheory.wikia search “The Compulsion Alternative”
Medline Plus website for OCPD information
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000942.htm
Most images taken from Google image or the above mentioned Wiki pages.