Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is the name of a Personality Disorder that is characterised by an extensive and long-lasting pattern of focusing on orderliness, perfectionism, control, planning and excessive attention to detail.

The disorder is also known as Anankastic Personality Disorder, and forms part of the Cluster C “anxious and fearful” category of personality disorders.

The symptoms of the condition cause problems in openness to experience, efficiency, and often, relationships. The disorder shares some similarities with anxiety-based conditions.

Despite being difficult to live with, the right level of treatment and support can lead to an individual improving their quality of life.

It is important to note that while the disorder is similar to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it is not the same condition. OCPD is a type of personality, while OCD is a mental health condition which involves several symptoms. You can read more here.

What are the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

The symptoms of OCPD can range slightly from person to person – with everyone experiencing the disorder in different ways. Symptoms should have been present for a considerable length of time, and effectively be ingrained within the personality of an individual.

Typical symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following characteristics and signs:

• Exhibits a preoccupation with remembering past events – often memorising specific moments and words spoken
• Pays attention to very minor details
• Complies with existing rules, regulations, and laws at all costs.
• Takes notes or write lists, even when such an activity appears to be pointless
• Adheres as closely as possible to a planned schedule
• Has a need for control
• Sets unrealistically high standards for themselves
• Rigidly follows their beliefs – often to the extent where they dismiss others’ ideas immediately
• Is seen as a perfectionist. They will often go to great lengths in order to complete everything to the standard they want – even if it takes a considerable length of time. This often leads to stress-induced anxiety. The level of perfectionism can actually interfere with the completion of a task, and prove detrimental in the long-term
• Is obsessed with cleanliness or tidiness
• Is reluctant to spend money
• Adopts a ‘my way or the highway’ approach to life
• Sometimes hoards unnecessarily

There is a significant crossover between OCPD and several conditions – such as OCD, eating disorders and autism. But it is important to note again that OCPD and OCD are different disorders.

Someone with OCPD may not see their behaviour as damaging – instead believing their efforts are for the best, while those with OCD don’t like their compulsions.

The symptoms mentioned above will lead to an individual to thinking, feeling and behaving differently to the average person. The symptoms will cause a range of problems – such as efficiency, flexibility and openness to new experiences. Moreover, this is likely to cause problems in work and social environments too. 

What are the causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

It isn’t entirely known what causes OCPD. It is believed that many factors contribute to the onset of the disorder.

Pinpointing causes of personality disorders can be difficult, as personality concerns the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviours that makes the individual. However, some factors and triggers do appear to exist.

Genetics appears to be an important part of the disorder. There is some evidence to suggest that a certain form of a certain gene – Dopamine receptor D₃ – results in an individual being likelier to develop OCPD and Depression [1]. The research suggests they influence cognitive rigidity and a compulsive temperament.

Parenting also appears to play a role. Overprotective or perfectionist parents may influence the disorder developing [2]. When mistakes were punished and achievement emphasised in childhood, this can impact how a person views activities.

Similarly, those that are considered perfectionists, or those that like to follow rules and rigidity – are key personality traits often seen in those with OCPD.

As with any mental health condition, any trauma or neglect during childhood can have a negative impact – especially as personality is forming at this point.

Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

If a person believes they are suffering from any personality disorder, it is important that they see a GP or mental health professional.

As discussed above, people with OCPD may not believe that their personality is affecting them mentally. Therefore, if they are struggling, it may be up to a friend or family member to gently nudge them towards seeking treatment.

At an appointment, a GP will ask a series of questions in order to gain an understanding of the person’s symptoms. The questions will reach a wide range of topics. If they believe that a personality disorder may be present, a referral to a relevant mental health service will follow.

A mental health professional will get in contact with the individual and carry out a full assessment. They will ask further questions and aim to generate a total understanding of how the individual’s personality traits are impacting their life.

In order for OCPD to be diagnosed, the person will need to have displayed the symptoms over a long-term basis – as in the symptoms should be ingrained in the personality of the person.

In terms of the diagnostic criteria, generally speaking, four of the below should be present:

• The patient shows a degree of perfectionism that ends up interfering with tasks being completed or finished on time
• A need for rigidity, such as following rules, an order, or a schedule. This means that an activity may not happen, due to the person’s need for rigidity
• Is reluctant to delegate any tasks to others due to fear of the work/task/activity not being completed to the standard they expect
• Has a black-or-white approach to areas such as values, morality, or ethics
• Shows a strong devotion to work – often to the detriment of enjoying hobbies or seeing friends
• Is reluctant to spend money – instead seeing money as something that should be held onto
• Is reluctant to get rid of old objects or possessions, even when there is no need to keep them

It is possible that a different mental health condition will be diagnosed, if the symptoms better fit a different diagnostic criteria.

Once a diagnosis has been made, the person can access treatment.

How is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder treated?

Treating personality disorders can be difficult. An added difficulty in treating OCPD is if the patient does not see any problems with their situation.

In general though, those with OCPD will tend to seek help. OCPD can be treated, and in the majority of instances, symptoms can be controlled more – which should lead to an improvement in quality of life. Typical treatment includes:

Talking Therapy

Normally, a form of talking therapy is the go-to treatment for OCPD. If therapy is well-structured and organised, it can fit in well with the personality of someone with OCPD.

Many different types of therapy exist – with a choice of the therapy used being based on individual circumstances. Commonly used types include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that is used to treat a range of mental health conditions. CBT involves an individual talking face-to-face with a therapist, although sometimes CBT can be conducted in a group setting. CBT attempts to improve an individual’s wellbeing and mood. The therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and actions. This can be useful for those with low self-esteem, anxiety, unhelpful personality traits or intrusive thoughts. CBT can help an individual understand their feelings more, and in the long run should lead to an improvement in quality of life.

Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses hypnosis in an attempt to treat a condition. Hypnotherapy normally involves an individual being in a deeply relaxed state. The therapy also uses focused attention and concentration to induce a heightened state of awareness. This allows the patient to focus on specific thoughts or factors. Hypnotherapy will commonly involve suggestion therapy, which allows a person to be more inclined to changing behaviours (including pain management). It can also be used to explore causes of a condition or symptom. This may include events that have been hidden in an individual’s unconscious memory.

There are a range of other types of talking therapies available. For more information on therapy, you can see our dedicated Therapy section.

Medication

While no medicine is specifically licensed for the treatment of OCPD, some of the thoughts involved with rigidity, schedules and perfectionism, may be helped by antidepressants. Similarly, those presenting with low mood or depression can be helped by antidepressants. 

Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help to improve and regulate mood. They should improve motivation and restore energy. SSRI Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed. They act on the brain chemical serotonin – which is thought to help in regulating mood and emotion. They may include side-effects such as a dry mouth, sexual problems and nausea, though these should hopefully be short-term. Other classes of antidepressants are available in the event of an inadequate reaction.

The main focus in treating personality disorders involves therapy, however medications can be used to help.

Summary

OCPD is a condition that has the potential to cause significant distress. Those struggling with this condition should seek treatment .

The aim is that the treatment will result in palpable improvement in an individual’s life. For more information, you can navigate around our website.

See Also

• Personality Disorder Section
• What Is The Prognosis for Personality Disorders?
• Therapy Homepage
• Medicine Homepage