sabtraversa
Everyone has a personality, but not everyone has a personality disorder.
A personality disorder is such when it interferes with work performance, relationships, friendships, daily activities, or causes a significant distress.
It’s important to be aware of what makes us uncomfortable, so we know what it takes to feel better. We can’t find a solution until we know what the problem is.
Obsessive-compulsive Personality Traits
Each personality disorder comes with a pattern, a list of traits.
As I stated above, possessing some (or all) of these traits doesn’t imply there’s a disorder.
– Perfectionism that interferes with task completion;
– Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules, and the subsequent inability to see the larger picture, or enjoy the activity for what it is;
– An unjustified excessive devotion to work and productivity, at the expenses of social and leisure activities;
– Reluctance to delegate tasks or work with others because of the fear the rigid standards won’t be met;
– Inability to get rid of worn-out or worthless objects, even when they have no sentimental value;
– Inflexibility to morals, ethics and values that transcend religious faith or political views;
– Rigidity and stubbornness;
– Frugality and miserliness, money must not be spent but hoarded for future needs.
Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder
Why would these traits create distress?
When is an obsessive-compulsive personality a disorder?
– The perfectionism makes the person affected by OCPD unable to complete the tasks on time or meet the deadlines. He might even give up once he realizes there’s no way to reach the amount of perfection he set upon himself, leading to apathy and lethargy.
– The workaholism causes isolation: friends and lovers feel they aren’t given enough attention and leave. The family also feels frustrated and left aside.
– The person with OCPD might be overwhelmed by all the tasks he has to do, as he won’t delegate to anyone. Vice versa, his high requirements and expectations towards employees or colleagues create discomfort at work.
– The rigid moral and ethical values create inhibitions or heated arguments among friends, lover or family members.
Differential Diagnosis
Perfectionism is also found in the Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The difference is that narcissistic individuals usually believe they met their standards, while those affected by OCPD tend to be very self-critical and unsatisfied about their work.
OCD differs from OCPD because the behaviors of the former are generally due to anxiety, while the latter’s are due to a distorted philosophy. The people with OCD are aware their compulsivity is out of control, while OCPD often can’t explain what causes the distress.
The Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder can be associated with eating disorders and major depression. People with OCPD are often pessimistic, and some can be suicidal.
Causes of the Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder
What causes the OCPD? Are genetic factors involved, or is it due to a traumatic experience?
There could be a genetic predisposition, but more research is needed in this field.
However, the environment is what certainly makes a difference.
In most cases, the childhood was compromised by excessive requests from overly controlling parents: high expectations, strict rules or moral values to follow, exaggerated reproofs when mistakes were made. Common scenario, isn’t it? No wonder why this is the most common personality disorder (US study).
Traumatic experiences such as physical, emotional or psychological abuse can also help to develop OCPD.
Treatments
Cognitive behavioral therapy is definitely the most popular effective treatment.
Medication is generally avoided, but can be prescribed to treat anxiety or depression.
Useful links
Test for self-diagnosis, the website is also entirely OCPD-themed.
I’m the same, but no online test gave me OCPD as a result until I read some pages about the disorder and thought it was familiar, but it took me a while.
It might help to go back in time and see what led you to have some of these traits, and if these traits cause you trouble in some way.
I used to not pay much attention to this personality disorder, so now I believe it is underrated. I’m not sure a professional diagnosis is required, as I know psychiatrists will just ask you the same questions in the tests. If you feel the description resonates with you and helps you rationalize and accept your behaviors, it’s still beneficial.
It’s not easy to deal with… but being aware and having an attitude to get help is a great start.
Getting couselling helps a lot and makes things easier … for one, when they decide on the more “harsh” treatment, they know how to deal with the effects …
That’s true. I don’t think you can cure a personality, but you can find ways to manage it and avoid being overwhelmed by your mind. ?
I’m not sure if you can cure a personality but you can change associations … Sometimes we make certain associations we don’t even know… like when some see money, they associate with shopping or spending but others don’t …
I have known people with the disorder. And am always glad when they can get treatment that works for them.
Me too. It isn’t easy to get the right treatment, especially when it comes to personality disorders, as you can’t change the personality, but only act on the behavior.
this is the second article I’ve read here about OCD. not that I’m counting or anything…
Wow, congrats! ? I think I read an article about OCD too, and that’s what somehow pushed me to write one about OCPD. That P counts too. ?
the P is for personality. I tend to use the two interchangeably
I see. It sucks they were given about the same name. ?
didn’t realize they weren’t closely related
Well this is an interesting post. I distrust medicines for anxiety because some of that can cause memory loss .
However, I would say that compulsive perfection is caused by parents with the same disorder and passed it down.
No one is ever good enough and the whole cycle is like the donkey chasing the unattainable carrot infant of the cart.
I have been blessed to have been made to do my best but with every artist, comes a time to put down tools and have it finished. Art over worked is not the best.
That’s so true, you seem to know a lot about the matter. ?
And that’s the reason why I tend to avoid making artworks, I’m never satisfied and feel like the time to put down tools will never come, so I don’t even try anymore. ?
Well, I think if you learn to enjoy art without putting too much expectation on yourself, I find the art work improves.
Thanks for the advice. ?
Excellent and instructive post, dear friend …. I get to know medicine a little more … I hope that I learned something and that something left in my head
Thank you very much! I find it interesting how personality traits evolve from the environment, how they’re sometimes out of control and how to cope with them.
Not bad for a bunch of reprobates with a galaxy of personality disorders
This “workaholic disorder” sounds better than the narcissistic or antisocial ones, for sure.
I met a person with such a disorder. He was afraid that anything he touches is infested with bacteria and, therefore, he washes his hands very often.
It sounds more like an OCD due to anxiety than an OCPD due to personality, but bacteria lie about everywhere, and are definitely available in huge quantities. The guy’s fear was justified, but the fact is that not all bacteria are harmful. ?
It can create distress, definitely. ?
I agree, but OCD and OCPD are a little intertwined!
In both cases individuals can often neglecting the major goal of their work, even if the reasons are different, one is lost in details, another is afraid of contamination! Maybe I’m wrong but I’m not a specialist!
Yes, a person can even have both at the same time. I said so because washing hand is a common compulsive behavior among those with OCD, but then I guess the subtle difference is in how the person feels about it.