OCPD FAQs — The International OCPD Foundation (2024)

OCPD Questions

• OCPD, or Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (also known as Anankastic Personality Disorder), is a personality disorder characterized by high levels of perfectionism (sometimes leading to procrastination), black-and-white thinking, rigidity and preoccupation & insistence on details, rules, lists, order and organization. For a more detailed explanation, please click here.

• Currently, there are no medications that specifically address the symptoms of OCPD. Some with OCPD may experience anxiety, depression, or other comorbidities. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, please seek out both treatment and/or pharmaceutical solutions from a trained mental health professional.

• Having OCPD does not preclude the possibility of other mental health issues. It is not uncommon for someone with OCPD to experience depression and/or anxiety. Only a trained mental health professional will be able to provide you with a complete diagnosis.

• This is a question that science has not conclusively answered up to this point. It is likely that both are involved, but current theories point more to nurture as the most likely source of developing OCPD. It is also likely that OCPD tendencies may have a genetic component that could remain dormant unless exposed to certain factors in youth.

• This depends on what you are expecting from a formal diagnosis. A formal diagnosis is certainly not required in order to participate in therapy or engage in healthy activities that may help combat unwanted traits. However, some countries require a formal diagnosis for insurance purposes. A diagnosis can also be useful in better understanding yourself, and it can help with communication between you and your therapist.

• - of, relating to, or arising from compulsion especially in an obsessive or compulsive neurosis

• A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which you have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning & behaving. Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behavior and inner experiences that differ significantly from what is expected. There are 10 types of personality disorders, each with different characteristics and symptoms.

• Cluster C personality disorders—avoidant, Dependent, & Obsessive Compulsive—are characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior.

• The short answer is yes. OCPD manifests outwardly very differently from person to person. It is about a pattern of thinking and maladaptive thought processes. It is not just a compilation of compulsions and idiosyncrasies. In addition, the latest edition of the DSM states that a person needs only to meet four of the eight requirements.

• Although a common question, this is not a simple answer. If you are asking this question, it is already likely that either you are having self-doubt about the reasonableness of your requests or that somebody has brought to your attention that they believe you are being unreasonable. It would seem that it would be in your best interest to err on the side of caution. However, honest and open communication is going to be key to discovering what is right and what is wrong in each individual situation.

• With OCD, sufferers are driven by their strong desire to alleviate the anxiety of their obsessions through the act of compulsions. With OCPD, it’s a set of self-imposed rules that dictate their compulsions in a desire to be perfect or correct. Those with OCD inherently recognize that their behaviors deviate from the norm, while those with OCPD feel that the “norm” should conform to them. In general, it’s probably more likely that the compulsions of someone with OCD take up more of their time than those of someone with OCPD.

Foundation Membership

• Membership in the foundation is reserved for mental health professionals.

• Please visit our membership signup page for full details.

• The membership rate is $129 per year, billed annually. Membership can be cancelled at any time.

• The membership fees go to furthering our foundation’s mission statement. In addition, you will be listed in our directory. This directory functions as the only therapy resource in the world for those with OCPD. Also, members will qualify to apply for future grants.

  MISSION STATEMENT

  Our mission is to raise awareness on the topic of OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder), provide support for those whose lives are impacted by this personality disorder & to help lower the stigmas surrounding mental health issues.

Support

• Be empathetic! Try not to be accusatory. The absolute best thing you can do is have your child engage with a trained mental health professional. However, there may be some resistance, so it’s important that your child not feel as though you think that there is something wrong with them. It is much better to frame therapy as an outlet for things that they may not feel comfortable sharing with you.

• There is no one definitive therapy that has been shown to be more effective than other forms of therapy when it comes to treating patients with OCPD. Patients have had success with many different types of therapeutic treatments, and it will come down to your preference and what you naturally respond most to. It is also going to be very important that you clique with your therapist and have trust in their process.

• It would seem that you are already doing it. If you’ve been diagnosed, then it follows that you are seeing a trained mental health professional. This is what you should be continuing to do. Do not expect too much of yourself. Change takes time. You are on the right path, and you should feel proud of the steps that you are taking.

• Required by whom? There is no legal requirement to treat your OCPD. However, for the sake of the relationships in your life, it might be prudent to seek out treatment. There are those with milder cases of OCPD, and for those people, it might not be necessary. If you have healthy relationships with the people in your life and the traits you exhibit are not causing you undue stress, therapy might not be necessary. Only you can make this decision.

• Somatic symptoms are quite common in people with high levels of stress and anxiety. As OCPD can cause anxiety, it is very possible to develop physical symptoms as a result of your mental health condition. The longer OCPD goes untreated, the higher the likelihood of developing somatic symptoms.

• As OCD and OCPD can present outwardly very similarly, it is possible to receive a misdiagnosis. This can be the result of a person not trusting the therapist enough to provide the information required for a correct diagnosis. In these instances, it’s possible that the diagnosis could shift over time as the therapist learns more.

  Sadly, it is also possible to be misdiagnosed by a therapist with little to no experience treating patients with OCPD. Please keep in mind, though, that although you may believe that you have OCPD, it is best to be open to hearing alternative points of view. If, however, you don’t feel as though the therapist is listening or truly understanding, it would make the most sense to seek out a second opinion.

Donating

• Everything you need to know can be found on our donation page.

• Of course. Raising awareness is something anyone can do, and this is invaluable. Also, proceeds from sales in our online store go to furthering the work we do.

• 100%!

  Every penny that comes in the form of a donation goes right back into funding the work we do. This includes research grants, online resources, family help & outreach.

• Transparency: It is critical to disclose that we do not currently have 501(c)(3) status. We are working hard to obtain this status and meet all of the requirements. In the meantime, this means that although your donation will go directly towards funding our charitable mission, at this time your donation will not be tax deductible. For more information, please reach out to us directly.

Loved Ones

• We are so happy to hear that you want to be involved in helping out your loved one. We have an entire section of our foundation dedicated to this exact question, and you can find that information here.

• Unfortunately no. OCPD is classified as a personality disorder, and as such, it requires time in therapy to treat.

• You are not alone. And knowing that you’re not alone can be very valuable. We would encourage you to look further into our support group and to check out our list of resources.

  Also, please consider the option of therapy for yourself. It can be very challenging to live with someone with obsessive compulsive personality disorder. You deserve to be supported as well.

• This is one of those unfortunate cases of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you’re asking this question, we can assume that the management style you’re being exposed to is causing you some form of distress.

  As it’s very unlikely that you’re in a position to discuss with your boss the state of their mental health, you will need to do what’s best for you. If what is happening goes directly against company policy, you have the option to report the inappropriate behavior.

  Requesting a move to a different department or moving to shifts with a different manager might be a feasible option. If you are truly unhappy and see no way out, it may be time to update your resume and start looking elsewhere.

What can you do?

• We very much empathize with all who find themselves in this position. This is a global issue that many great people are working on, but at present, it it not solved.

  The first thing to do is to consider whether or not that is truly the case. It’s in our nature to want quick fixes and to seek pleasure. As cliché as it is, how much are you spending on coffee each month? Or are there other expenses you could put on pause while you put your mental health first?

  Even after cutting expenses, it may be that therapy is still out of reach. In this case, there are therapy alternatives that may be worth considering. Online therapy and therapy apps have exploded in the last few years. These provide more affordable solutions. Support groups as well (whether online or in person) can be very helpful and are usually free.

  There are many good books available, and this can be a good place to start. And finally, taking care of yourself is going to go a long way in helping to provide the energy required to work on yourself. Consider incorporating healthy eating, exercise, quality sleep & mindfulness as part of your daily routine.

• We are so happy to hear that you want to be involved in helping out your loved one. We have an entire section of our foundation dedicated to this exact question, and you can find that information here.

• This is the big question, right? This all depends on your perspective. A personality disorder is not “fixable” in terms of being curable. This, however, should not leave you feeling despondent. It is very much possible, through hard work, to put these undesirable traits behind you via therapy. Others have also had success in transforming their maladaptive traits into adaptive ones that work for them. So you need not live with your obsessions and compulsions and an anxiety-ridden mind if you choose to do something about them.

• The following is a list of therapies that have had varying levels of success for OCPD patients. It is by no means an exhaustive list, and it’s important that you find the treatment option that works best for you and your personality.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Schema Therapy

  • Radically Open Dialectical Behavior therapy (RO DBT)

  • Family and Couples Therapy

  It is also important no to discount the importance of self care. Exercise, healthy eating, quality sleep, mindfulness & meditation will be important parts of your success.