Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is OCPD?SymptomsDiagnosisOCPD vs. OCDCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is OCPD?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

OCPD vs. OCD

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Close

The primary difference is that OCD includes obsessions/compulsions, while OCPD does not.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of OCPD and how to distinguish between OCPD vs. OCD. It also covers how OCPD is diagnosed, what causes it, and how it is treated.

What Are Cluster C Personality Disorders?

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

OCPD is apersonality disorder, which means it involves personality traits that are stable, long-held, atypical, and problematic in some way. In the case of OCPD, people with this condition may find it hard to relate to others, and their devotion to perfectionism and rigid control can make it difficult to function.

Other personality disorders in this category includenarcissistic personality disorder,histrionic personality disorder, andborderline personality disorder.

OCPD is not the same as narcissism, however. People with OCPD dwell on doing things perfectly, while people with narcissistic personality disorder have an exaggerated sense of grandeur and believe they should receive constant praise and attention.

OCPD is not the same asobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is also not a type of OCD. In the"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed (DSM-5-TR)", OCD is organized in its own category of mental conditions called “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.”

Symptoms of OCPD

The primary symptoms of OCPD focus on an obsession with perfectionism and a need for control. Someone with OCPD may experience symptoms like:

At first glance, OCPD may seem similar to ananal personalitytype. While someone with an anal personality might share some of these traits, like perfectionism, orderliness, and a need to be in control of their environment, having these quirks isn’t the same thing as having a personality disorder.

How Is OCPD Diagnosed?

There is no specific test that can determine if a person has OCPD. In order to make a diagnosis, a clinician will ask questions about your symptoms and the effect they have on your life. They may also conduct lab tests and a physical exam to help rule out other conditions.

To be diagnosed with OCPD, a person must exhibit a persistent pattern of preoccupation with perfectionism, order, and control of the self, situations, and others.

They may also look for additional signs of OCPD. These include the presence of rigid perfectionism and at least two more personality traits:

Your doctor may also check for any difficulty you have withempathyand intimacy. People who have OCPD often struggle tomaintain interpersonal relationships, including romantic relationships. They may find it difficult to empathize with others and are sometimes described as cold or aloof. They also struggle with intimacy and find it difficult to show affection or express emotions.

In order to be diagnosed with OCPD, these symptoms must create significant disruptions in a person’s ability to function in important life areas, including school, work, family, and other relationships.

Related ConditionsOCPD also bears a close resemblance to some other conditions, such as OCD, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and other personality disorders. OCPD may also co-occur alongside them. A doctor will need to rule out these other conditions before diagnosing OCPD.

OCPD also bears a close resemblance to some other conditions, such as OCD, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and other personality disorders. OCPD may also co-occur alongside them. A doctor will need to rule out these other conditions before diagnosing OCPD.

It may take some time for a doctor or therapist to determine if you have OCPD. They may need to meet with you a few times to discuss and observe your symptoms. A doctor or therapist may also need to talk to loved ones to get a better picture of your daily behaviors and interactions before they make a diagnosis.

RecapDiagnosing OCPD requires experiencing at least four symptoms listed in the DSM-5-TR. These symptoms must have begun during early adulthood and must interfere with the person’s ability to function in daily life.

Recap

Diagnosing OCPD requires experiencing at least four symptoms listed in the DSM-5-TR. These symptoms must have begun during early adulthood and must interfere with the person’s ability to function in daily life.

While OCD and OCPD are distinct forms of mental illness with their own unique and specific characteristics, there is considerable overlap between them. There are, however, some basic ways to distinguish between them.

OCDObsessive-compulsive and related disordersDistress over thoughts and behaviorsBehaviors fluctuateTrue obsessions and/or compulsions

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

Distress over thoughts and behaviors

Behaviors fluctuate

True obsessions and/or compulsions

Personality disorder

Belief in purpose of thoughts/behaviors

Behaviors are persistent

Presence of True Obsessions and/or Compulsions

Feelings About Obsessive Behaviors or Thoughts

Because of this, those with OCPD may also avoid seeking professional help.

In some situations, the traits of OCPD can even translate to success—someone who is overly dedicated to their job and conscientious of every detail, for example, might see benefits at work, even if they are struggling in other areas of their life.

Consistency of Symptoms

The symptoms of OCD tend to fluctuate in association with the underlying level ofanxiety. People with OCD engage in behaviors as a way to deal with feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This means that their symptoms may be less severe during times when they are experiencing less anxiety.

Can you have OCD and OCPD?It is also possible for the two conditions to occur together at the same time. Research suggests that around 20% to 30% of people with OCPD may also have OCD. Around 52% of people with OCD have at least one co-morbid personality disorder.

Can you have OCD and OCPD?

It is also possible for the two conditions to occur together at the same time. Research suggests that around 20% to 30% of people with OCPD may also have OCD. Around 52% of people with OCD have at least one co-morbid personality disorder.

What Causes OCPD?

We don’t yet know what causes OCPD, although there are some theories that explain different possibilities. One theory deals withattachment stylesand says that OCPD may develop in children who:

There may also be a biological component to OCPD, as having relatives with the condition might make you more likely to have it.

Risk Factors for OCPD

OCPD is one of the most common personality disorders. Men and women seem to experience it at about the same rate, though it’s less common in younger adults. It can occur with several other conditions, like:

One study found that around 7.8% of adults will have OCPD at some point during their lifetime.

How Is OCPD Treated?

Though more research is needed in this area, most treatment plans for personality disorders begin with psychotherapy, while medication might be used as a complement.

Psychotherapy

Therapy options for OCPD can include:

Medication

There is no specific medication that has been FDA-approved to treat OCPD. However, your doctor might recommend medication to help control some of your OCPD symptoms, especially if you’re also experiencing another condition like depression. This might includemedication to control your anxietyand/orantidepressants.

Coping With OCPD

The condition can make relating to others much more difficult for a person with OCPD. Excessive perfectionism and an inability to delegate tasks can create a create deal of stress. Being rigid, having high expectations, and struggling to empathize with others can also affect interpersonal relationships. People with the condition may feel isolated and misunderstood as a result.

In addition to seeking treatment, you can learn some coping strategies for OCPD. These could include:

RecapAn accurate diagnosis can help ensure you get the most appropriate treatment, which may include a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Coping strategies such as lowering your stress and learning more about your condition can also be helpful for managing your symptoms.

An accurate diagnosis can help ensure you get the most appropriate treatment, which may include a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Coping strategies such as lowering your stress and learning more about your condition can also be helpful for managing your symptoms.

5 Keys to Living With Borderline Personality Disorder

Takeaways

If you have traits of OCPD and you’re looking for help, it’s important to seek the care of a qualified mental health professional. You may not immediately recognize the detrimental impact of your behavior and how it’s affecting different areas of your life. A mental health professional can determine whether or not you have OCPD and help you deal with the symptoms of the condition.

If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, OCPD, or another mental health condition, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Psychological Flexibility

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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