What is Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a type of “personality disorder” with these characteristics:

• Rigid adherence to rules and regulations
• An overwhelming need for order
• Unwillingness to yield or give responsibilities to others
• A sense of righteousness about the way things “should be done”

What are the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

• Excessive devotion to work that impairs social and family activities
• Excessive fixation with lists, rules and minor details
• Perfectionism that interferes with finishing tasks
• Rigid following of moral and ethical codes
• Unwillingness to assign tasks unless others perform exactly as asked
• Lack of generosity; extreme frugality without reason
• Hoarding behaviors

What is the difference between Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• People with OCD have insight, meaning they are aware that their unwanted thoughts are unreasonable. People with OCPD think their way is the “right and best way” and usually feel comfortable with such self-imposed systems of rules.
• The thoughts, behaviors and feared consequences common to OCD are typically not relevant to real-life concerns; people with OCPD are fixated with following procedures to manage daily tasks.
• Often OCD interferes in several areas in the person’s life including work, social and/or family life. OCPD usually interferes with interpersonal relationships, but makes work functioning more efficient. It is not the job itself that is hurt by OCPD traits, but the relationships with co-workers, or even employers can be strained.
• Typically, people with OCPD don’t believe they require treatment. They believe that if everyone else conformed to their strict rules, things would be fine. The threat of losing a job or a relationship due to interpersonal conflict may be the motivator for therapy. This is in contrast to people with OCD who feel tortured by their unwanted thoughts and rituals, and are more aware of the unreasonable demands that the symptoms place on others, often feeling guilty because of this.
• Family members of people with OCPD often feel extremely criticized and controlled by people with OCPD. Similar to living with someone with OCD, being ruled under OCPD demands can be very frustrating and upsetting, often leading to conflict.

What causes Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

There is no single, specific “cause” identified. Several theories suggest that people with OCPD may have been raised by parents who were unavailable and either overly controlling or overly protective. Also, as children they may have been harshly punished. The OCPD traits may have developed as a sort of coping mechanism to avoid punishment, in an effort to be “perfect” and obedient.

Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

The goal of therapy is to lessen rigid expectations and learn how to value close relationships, recreation, and fun with less emphasis on work and productivity. Therapy can lead to greater insight into how someone’s OCPD symptoms affect others. It often takes the threat of the loss of a relationship or job to motivate people with OCPD seek treatment because they typically don’t think there is anything “wrong” with the way they are. If motivated to change, cognitive behavior therapy, particularly schema therapy, holds much promise.

Getting Help for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley specializes in long term personality change using CBT and schema therapy. With our convenient location just a 1/2 mile from highways 85 and the Saratoga Avenue exit, we serve the Silicon Valley communities of San Jose, Saratoga, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Cupertino and Campbell, CA. Contact us at (408) 384-8404 for more information on how we can help you overcome the rigid patterns related to an obsessive compulsive personality.