Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Although Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is similar in name to Obsessive-Compulsive Anxiety Disorder (OCD), these are two completely separate and distinct psychological disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD

This mental illness is one of many anxiety disorders, and is marked by recurrent, unwanted thoughts(obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The compulsive behaviors are often carried out in hopes of avoiding obsessive thoughts. Performing these behavioral rituals provides only temporary relief, and not performing them typically produces increased anxiety (APA 2000).

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, OCPD

People suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, also called Anankastic Personality Disorder, are so focused on order and perfection that their lack of flexibility interferes their ability to get things done, and to enjoy life in general. Little is accomplished because, whatever the task, for those with OCPD, it is never good enough. These individuals become mired in detail and are often unable to see the big picture; a textbook example of not being able to see the forest for the trees.

The standards that those with OCPD set for themselves and others are impossibly high, and they are prone to damage personal relationships by being critical of those who don't live up to their lofty ideals. There are few moral gray areas for someone with full-blown OCPD; actions and beliefs are either right or wrong, with no room for compromise. They can also be workaholics, preferring the control of working alone, as they are afraid that work completed by others will not be done correctly (Dobbert 2007).

Diagnosis of OCPD

The DSM-IV-TR, psychology's "diagnostic bible," describes the criteria that must be met to arrive at a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. A patient must exhibit at least four of the following traits:

• Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
• Perfectionism that interferes with task completion.
• Excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity).
• Being overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification).
• Inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value.
• Reluctance to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things.
• A miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes.
• Rigidity and stubbornness.

Although a person may exhibit any or all of the characteristics, it is not considered a disorder unless these issues impede his or her ability to lead a normal life.

Prognosis for OCPD

The potential for improvement with treatment is better for Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder than for other personality disorders, with a combination of medication and therapy producing the best results. Recent research has shown the cognitive-behavioral approach to be promising. This consists of both the individual and the therapist monitoring the patient's thoughts. The problem thoughts and behaviors are counted and a deliberate plan is made to gradually reduce them. Although OCPD can be treated with behavioral therapy and anti-OCD medications, long-term treatment, requiring intensive time and effort, is almost always necessary (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders 2007, Dobbert 2007).
This article, originally published in Suite101 online magazine, describes definitions and clinical tools used by professionals to diagnose personality disorders. The contents of this article are not meant to be used for diagnosis and are not a substitute for professional help and counseling.

Sources

Dobbert, D. (2007) Understanding Personality Disorders: An Introduction. Greenwood Press.

American Psychiatric Association APA (2000) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).