We all wish we could do things perfectly sometimes, like following our busy schedule to a tee while wearing the best outfit, nailing a job interview, and being the greatest partner ever – all in one day. But, we don’t wish to turn the lights on and off several times until it feels right or to constantly worry the stove was left on even though you took a picture of it. This is a simplified example of the difference between OCPD vs OCD.
In the simplest form, the difference between OCD and OCPD is that one is viewed as a negative thing and one is viewed as a positive by the patient. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is having unwanted thoughts or behaviors driven by anxiety. It is seen as a negative trait. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is when a person is focused on perfectionism in life and often sees striving to be the best as a good thing.
Even so, both conditions can disrupt daily life. For those living with OCD or OCPD, developing self-awareness and working with a supportive mental health care team can be an important step toward releasing overwhelming feelings of control, fear, and anxiety.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition driven by anxiety. Many associate it with repeating behaviors or being extremely clean, which are associated with some forms of OCD. But, it’s more complex than that.
There are several types of OCD, including but not limited to:
- Contamination OCD: Irrational concern with germs, cleanliness, and impurity.
- Checking OCD: Intense fear of unsafe situations, like break-ins or harm, leading to repeatedly conducting “rituals” to ensure safety.
- Symmetry and Ordering OCD: Strong need for things to be aligned or “just right”. Involves repeating behavior, like, tapping or arranging items.
- Intrusive Thoughts or Rumination: Repetitive negative or intrusive thoughts that are unwanted or disturbing.
These compulsions can become so strong that they impact daily life. Individuals struggle to function within society with fear keeping them stuck. Eventually, they begin to isolate themselves, beginning a cycle that further triggers their anxiety.
What Causes OCD?
There’s no known, singular cause of OCD. It’s believed to be a combination of nature and nurture. That means some people may be predisposed to developing OCD because of their genetics. Others develop obsessive patterns due to their environment.
When professionals are evaluating a person for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, they will ask an extensive list of questions to get a full understanding of the patient. This conversation can cover a patient’s:
- Family history
- Upbringing
- Recent life changes
- Traumatic life events or drastic changes in life
- General personality traits
- Daily routines and responsibilities
Because OCD is rooted in patterns, it can take time to get a formal diagnosis. Starting the dialogue with a professional as early as possible is ideal and the first step to getting proper treatment.
OCD Symptoms
Each type of OCD comes with different symptoms. Some commonalities and telltale signs that OCD may be present include:
- A need to repeat behaviors or speaking phrases before moving on
- Constant worry or anxiety over what’s happened or what’s to come
- Extreme stress in uncontrolled situations
- Seeking reassurance from others that everything is safe
- Excessive handwashing or use of cleaning products
How to Treat OCD
OCD requires highly specialized treatment to manage anxiety and recondition the brain. Typically, antianxiety or antidepressant medication is used in combination with regular therapy. Medication can ease mental chatter that contributes to compulsive behaviors, allowing patients to focus deeper on therapy.
Evidence-based therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can be used to recognize the “why” behind certain behaviors or thoughts and reframe them. One type of CBT is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Patients face triggering situations head on and use their willpower to not complete their ritual.
Patients are also encouraged to stay active and participate in support groups to create camaraderie and systems that lower anxiety levels.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is a mental health condition where individuals strive for perfectionism. They feel the need to maintain a high level of orderliness and control. This “flawlessness” makes individuals less adaptable. Eventually, it impacts their ability to perform at school, work, or even just within their daily routine.
What Causes OCPD?
The cause of OCPD is similar to OCD in that there is no singular root cause. However, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is more closely tied to a patient’s childhood. An individual’s personality forms in the early stages of life. When a person experiences great change, trauma, or rigidity in these formative years, they are more likely to develop anxiety that results in OCPD.
However, genetics and chemical makeup also play a role. A family history of mental health conditions can be an indicator. Also, people with OCPD may experience chemical imbalances that cause their mind to function differently.
To diagnose OCPD, a comprehensive evaluation needs to be done by a professional. This can take multiple sessions to get a holistic view of the patient and to rule out other conditions. With time, a mental health professional will assess if a patient meets the clinical criteria of OCPD.
OCPD Symptoms
OCPD can often go undiagnosed because society deems perfectionism as a positive quality. However, there is too much of a good thing. Symptoms of OCPD may include:
- Inability to complete tasks at work or home to reach “perfect” doneness
- Extreme focus on rules, lists, order, and planning
- Prioritizing work over their personal life
- Inability to collaborate or delegate tasks because they can do it best
- Hoarding behaviors, including items and money
How to Treat OCPD
It takes time and patience to treat OCPD. Recovery is a lifelong process, so patients work with therapists to understand the root of their condition and build healthy coping mechanisms they can use ongoing.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two evidence-based methods that may be used with OCPD patients. These talk therapy modalities give patients a safe space to explore where their need to be perfect may have arisen. From there, they are guided to challenge their way of thinking with the goal of untying personal value from being perfect.
The Benefit of Inpatient Mental Health Treatment for OCP and OCPD
In treating OCD and OCPD, accountability is a huge component. Inpatient mental health treatment allows individuals to step away from daily life and focus entirely on the healing journey.
During their time in residential mental health care, they’ll have a balanced schedule of therapy, movement, and reflection. They’ll build connections with other patients, creating a sense of community where they feel seen and understood. Plus, they get care from professionals who know how to unpack the underlying reasoning for their condition as well as challenge them in productive ways.
Inpatient mental health treatment gives patients the ability to reconnect with themselves and learn life skills that allow them to be present rather than hiding behind a shroud of anxiety.
Let Go of Perfectionism and Reclaim Your Own Mind With Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
You don’t have to live at odds with your own mind. At Brighten Bay, we give patients a safe space to explore their OCD or OCPD diagnosis and learn to cope in productive ways. Here, you take a step away from daily life to reconnect with yourself and build a future you can feel excited about and in control of. Healing doesn’t require perfection. It simply begins with the willingness to start.
