Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

 OCPD or Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is characterized by the extreme need for perfectionism, orderliness, control, and attention to detail even at the expense of others. while general obsessive-compulsive behavior is done on occasion to soothe feelings of anxiety and distress. OCPD on the other hand, is a long-term personality disorder that creates distress and anxiety in individuals if tasks are not done with perfection or if these individuals are losing control of the situation, in search of details these individuals often lack sight of the big picture. 

How does obsessive-compulsive personality disorder start?

OCPD is a personality disorder and starts with the development of the personality of the person in their early childhood, as their personality comes to form through their early experiences and their caregivers. Caregivers such as parents or guardians have a major role in shaping a child’s personality, when parents are extremely strict or suffering from perfectionism themselves they are likely to expect similar behavior from the child and if the child makes a mistake they punish them in various physical and emotional ways, this eventually creates a fear in the child and as a coping mechanism the child adopts perfectionism and which becomes a belief as the individual grows up, thus such individuals suffer from anxiety and distress if they make any mistake. 

What are the main symptoms of OCPD?

The disorder causes individuals to be overly perfectionist to the point that other activities are impaired. Other symptoms of OCPD include: 

Having a hard time expressing their feelings 

Lack of empathy with other people

Over-devotion to the work 

Social isolation 

Lack of satisfaction no matter how good the work

Anxiety due to work and often burnt out 

Treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder:

Psychodynamic Therapy:

Psychodynamic therapy helps individuals develop self-awareness, understand behaviors, and explore core beliefs associated with those behaviors. This therapy can also help individuals explore their past experiences and how they affect the present conditions 

Medication:

Medication can also help soothe the symptoms of OCPD, including anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants. However, the medication can not treat the personality disorder which can only be done by exploring and understanding the core personality of an individual and accepting that personality, and then working with a therapist to enhance those personality traits.