Dear friends,
Let me start out by saying that I was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) about 5 years ago, so I've done some pretty extensive research on the topic. Also, this semester I am taking Abnormal Psychology---literally one of my favorite classes ever---, and we just finished the chapter on personality disorders. Ever since I received my diagnosis, I've been wondering about the differences between OCPD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the United States, anxiety disorders are the number one diagnosed mental disorders among adults. Also, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. experience some form of mental illness within their lifetime. Consequently, there's a good chance some of my readers may have OCD or OCPD, but which one? Maybe even both?
According to NIMH, OCD is characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both that can drastically interfere with all facets of daily life. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are multiple criteria that need to be met in order for an individual to be clinically diagnosed with OCD. They are as follows:
A. Either obsessions or compulsions:
Obsessions:
- recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive or inappropriate and cause significant distress
- these thoughts, impulses, or images are not just extra worries put on everyday things
- the individual tries to suppress these intrusive thoughts through other actions or thoughts
- the individual realizes that the thoughts are a product of their own mind
Compulsions:
- repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels is necessary to perform
- the behaviors or mental acts are driven to reduce the distress associated with dreaded events/associations
B. At some point, the person has recognized that the obsessions/compulsions are unreasonable (not applicable to children).
C. The behaviors cause intense distress in daily functioning.
D. If another "Axis 1" disorder (ie. Anorexia and food restriction) is present, the obsessions/compulsions are not restricted to it.
E. The behavior is not a result of substance abuse.
With OCPD, a person has excessive concern over orderliness, perfectionism, attention to details, control, etc. over the environment that interferes with flexibility, efficiency, and interpersonal relationships. Being a miser or workaholic is also a sign of having this disorder. According to the DSM-5, there are 8 diagnostic criteria for OCPD. They are as follows:
*must have 4 or more of the following*
(1) preoccupation with orders, lists, rules, etc. to the point where the meaning behind the activity is lost
(2) perfectionism that limits task completion (sometimes due to the overly strict standards of the individual not being met)
(3) excessive devotion to work; enough to put a strain on interpersonal relationships and friendships
(4) inflexible and scrupulous over ethical and moral principles (not including religious or cultural identity)
(5) unable to discard worthless or worn-out objects, even if there's no sentimental value
(6) reluctant to delegate tasks or work in groups unless everyone works their way
(7) adopts a miserly spending style and usually hoards money for future need
(8) rigidity and stubbornness
One of the biggest differences between OCD and OCPD is that those with OCPD don't really sense that something is "out of the blue". That's the thing about personality disorders; they can be hard to spot because they're literally ingrained into the mind as "correct" to the individual who has the disorder. At least, that's how it was with me.
When I went to the psychiatrist for the first time, the last thing I was expecting to be diagnosed with was OCPD---I hadn't even heard of it at the time of my diagnosis. Once I began researching OCPD, it all made sense. My entire freaking life. My perfectionist habits, my relationship with food (and sometimes people), my competitive drive, my obsession with grades, my hardheadedness, etc. Apparently, a lot of CEOs have OCPD whether they're aware of it or not; Steve Jobs and Estee Lauder are two examples. Like any mental illness, the severity, treatment, and outcomes for each individual with OCD or OCPD can vary dramatically based on a combination of hereditary and environmental influences. With medication, therapy, counseling, self-help, etc., individuals with OCD, OCPD, or both can enjoy a normal, fulfilling life.
Sometimes, treatment isn't even necessary for those with OCPD or OCD. As a matter of fact, some individuals can live their entire life without knowing they have either of the two. However, on the other hand, there are some individuals where treatment is a must. Unfortunately, people who have a more severe mental illness have a higher chance of comorbidity (having more than 1 mental disorder at once) than people who have a less severe mental illness. For those with OCD, the more severe the disorder, the more likely the individual is to have OCPD, anxiety, depression, etc. For individuals with OCPD, other personality disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain eating disorders are all prominent comorbidities. Due to these reasons, individuals who experience more severe symptoms are more likely to present in treatment for OCPD and OCD.
For a lot of people, mental illness is a touchy-subject. Years ago, it was a touchy subject for me too. Until I realized that people with mental illness are just people with more perspective---that's how I like to look at it anyways. So, if you're reading this, and you think you have OCPD or OCD, don't freak out. First, go to a mental health professional, or psychologist, or psychiatrist, or someone who can actually give you a professional opinion/diagnosis (you can HMU in a few years after I get my Ph.D. LOL ;)) If you do indeed have OCD or OCPD, don't think it's the end of the world. Think of it as a change of pace, or a new beginning, or maybe even picture your disorder as an old-friend you forgot you had. I can 100% guarantee that the only reason I am as passionate, caring, sympathetic, driven, and hardworking as I am today is because of my mental illness, and I'm actually pretty proud of it. I've dealt with some really heavy stuff, and I've always come out as a stronger person on top.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you have OCPD, OCD, depression, anxiety, bulimia, borderline, or any other mental illness, it does not define you. It may be a part of you, but you get to decide in what ways. Until next time...
xoxo,
Allie
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turns out i had the completely wrong idea when i thought i had OCD. i apparently have OCPD