Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a disorder often caused from a very rigid and strict childhood. Childhood for someone with OCPD may have meant enduring emotional or physical abuse at a young age. The traits of OCPD are a “maladaptive” coping skill learned through childhood and adolescent years as a means to survival. Often times those who have OCPD learned to be efficient, productive and aim for perfection because anything less was potentially punished or scrutinized at a young age.
In adulthood, OCPD can look like well-intentioned efforts to lead others and correct or prevent wrong-doing. However, on the receiving end, those around people who have OCPD may feel a bit like their toes are being stepped on. They may feel like they’re being micromanaged or that their friend, workmate or partner with OCPD is (unintentionally) a little controlling or rigid.
It is important to view OCPD through a trauma-informed lens because the connection between childhood wounds and adult coping with OCPD is very clear. When someone with OCPD cannot guarantee perfection or excellence, this is when there is great discomfort and distress. To be clear, OCPD is not an anxiety disorder. In life, we can never truly guarantee perfection and thus this discomfort is inevitable. Those with OCPD may be striving for perfection however and with this comes great emotional distress, difficulties completing tasks due to high standards, challenges getting along with others, struggles with rigidity, having flexibility, and compromising with views outside their own moral and ethical compass.
Studies show that 3-8% of the general population have OCPD, making it the most common personality disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Obsessive compulsive personality disorder also often co-occur. OCD and OCPD co-occur in around 15-28% of individuals. If we zoom in a bit closer to an even more specific population, studies show that clinicians who primarily see clients who have OCD in an outpatient mental health setting will likely have around 25-50% of their caseload having both OCD and OCPD.
Why does this matter?
This topic matters because OCD and OCPD are more common than we all think. As a clinician, I can appreciate good use of a metaphor so here is one to help explain. Clinicians and health care providers often do not have the knowledge and training to understand OCD and OCPD because they are treated like a zebra – much less common and unique. However, I beg the question of if these disorders are actually just a horse – much more common than recognized at this given time. The international OCD Foundation released an incredible study about the prevalence and under-diagnosis of OCD.
Individuals with OCD and OCPD really struggle. They struggle with quieting their thoughts, quieting their discomfort and sitting and actually relaxing. Often individuals with OCD or OCPD have experienced trauma and are living with chronic depression. Living with these disorders can feel very isolating and come with a great deal of grief – grieving lost time spent doing compulsions, missing out on social events, losing employment, losing relationships, losing hobbies, losing sleep and peace.
It is incredibly important that if you have OCD or OCPD that you seek a provider who understands these disorders and that you know that you are not alone. The term “personality disorder” is already very stigmatizing however it really just means that at your core, this is how you tend to function and this is the lens that you tend to view the world through. This rigidity has become a safety net when maybe earlier in life that safety net didn’t exist.
Obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder are not the same thing. Both deserve specialized care, a safe and non-judgemental space to process and a provider who truly cares and understands.
This blog is not meant to diagnose or be a replacement for therapy. Please reach out to a trusted provider if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health symptoms.
Lux Behavioral Health provides specialized outpatient therapy to individuals in RI and MA. Please reach out to us to inquire about setting up an intake appointment if you have interest in specialized care for OCD, OCPD, anxiety or a related disorder.
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