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Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Mental health conditions can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Personality disorders are a type of mental health condition that impacts a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is one of ten identified personality disorders. OCPD can cause intense preoccupation with control and perfectionism. People living with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may be rigid or stubborn. The symptoms of this condition can interfere with daily functioning and keep people from having healthy relationships.

This article will explore obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and its treatment. You will learn:

  • The symptoms of OCPD
  • What may cause obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
  • How mental health professionals diagnose OCPD
  • What to expect from treatment for OCPD
  • Where to find mental health treatment

If you or someone you love needs treatment for a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Center specialists to explore our treatment programs or schedule an intake appointment.

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a mental health condition. It belongs to the “Cluster C” personality disorders, which include anxious or fear-based symptoms. Research shows that between 3-8% of the adult population in the US lives with OCPD.

This common personality disorder can cause people to be rigid or preoccupied with order and perfectionism. Its symptoms may interfere with normal functioning and relationships.

People with OCPD may have rigid ideas about how others should complete tasks. They may be uncompromising and have a preoccupation with orderliness. Others may find it challenging to have healthy relationships with them. People with OCPD typically do not recognize that their thoughts or behaviors are abnormal or harmful.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sound similar. However, they are separate conditions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder. It causes obsessive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. People with OCD typically recognize that their behaviors are abnormal and are more likely to seek treatment for this condition.

Symptoms of OCPD

The primary symptom of OCPD is an obsession with perfectionism and control. People with OCPD may have a very specific way of completing tasks and be rigid in their expectations of order.

Other symptoms of OCPD include:

  • Focusing on perfectionism so much that they cannot complete tasks
  • Have an excessive devotion to work or being productive
  • Having a hard time restricting work, taking breaks, or engaging in “non-productive” activities
  • An unwillingness to compromise
  • An inability to discard worthless or broken items–even those without sentimental value
  • Being excessively cautious in an effort to avoid failure
  • Having trouble delegating tasks to others
  • Experiencing excessive doubt
  • Having a hard time making decisions
  • Thinking in “black and white” terms
  • Focusing on others’ flaws
  • Having excessively high standards when working with others
  • Frequently becoming fixated on an idea, task, or belief
  • Struggling to cope with any type of criticism

People with OCPD may appear confident and organized. They may be high achievers who seem to thrive in certain environments. However, they may struggle to compromise with others, which can negatively impact their relationships with others.

What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Mental health experts do not fully understand the origins of personality disorders. However, they believe several factors may play a role in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

One factor researchers believe may contribute to OCPD is genetics. They believe family history and genes may contribute to OCPD. They focus primarily on genes related to aggression, fear, depression, and anxiety.

Researchers also believe that experiencing childhood trauma may increase a person’s risk of developing OCPD and other personality disorders.

How Do Professionals Diagnose OCPD?

It can be very challenging to diagnose personality disorders. People with OCPD and other personality disorders typically do not recognize that their thoughts and behaviors are abnormal.

In some cases, people with OCPD may seek treatment for other conditions related to their personality disorder, including anxiety and depression. Or, they may seek counseling to improve an unhealthy relationship.

Mental health professionals typically begin by asking broad questions about a person’s history, relationships, and behaviors. They may inquire about a person’s childhood or early adulthood. If they believe a personality disorder may be present, they may complete other types of assessment or screenings.

Getting a proper diagnosis is critical to treat obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Proper diagnosis can help professionals provide the best possible treatment.

What to Expect During Treatment for OCPD

People with OCPD may benefit from specialized therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy.

CBT

Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps people identify connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. People work toward specific goals by changing destructive patterns.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy allows people to explore the reasons behind their feelings. They examine problematic relationships and patterns of behavior and work to make meaningful changes.

There are no specific medications to treat personality disorders. However, people with OCPD may take prescription antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs to help them manage these conditions.

Find Mental Health Treatment

If you or a loved one requires mental health treatment, you are not alone. Compassionate, effective treatment is available at Agape Behavioral Center. Reach out with questions, to learn about our programs, or to schedule an intake appointment.

References:

  1. Springer Link: Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorder
  2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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