Do I Have An Obsessive Personality? OCPD vs. OCD - Psychotherapy Crash Course
28I've always said that my mom has OCD. If I could diagnose her, I'd diagnose her with OCD. Everything I do and everything she does has to be followed up with hand sanitizer! While I tend to be a hand sanitizing fanatic, I don't have an internal "warning mechanism" that prompts me to wash my hands after touching the refrigerator door handle, closing the trunk on my car, or after touching a banana. But for those with OCD who need to clean everything, this behavior isn't abnormal. in fact, it's life.
For those who struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), hand washing isn't the biggest challenge in their lives. The bigger challenges tend to revolve around work and play, relationships, and a self-imposed set of rules that MUST be followed. Details, rules, lists, regulations, and directions are moment-by-moment needs for the individual with OCPD. Without these details, rules, lists, regulations, or directions, life feels completely out of control and unregulated.
Many of us can relate to these feelings and needs. I certainly can. But the difference between someone who has OCPD and someone who does not is the impulse control difficulties and the obsessions. When someone is having an obsessive thought or is experiencing rumination, impulse control can be minimal.
In this video, I add to our recent discussion of personality disorders by exploring OCPD and the challenges faced by those with this disorder. While OCD is not rare in our society today, OCPD is. About 1 in 100 individuals experience and are diagnosed with it. But it's still important for us to discuss this topic as the small percentage that are diagnosed, may include someone you know.
I welcome your comments, questions, and experiences.
I'm Támara, a licensed and nationally certified mental health therapist, with over 11 years experience. I specialize in helping children, teens, and families with mental illness. I also treat psychological trauma. If you'd like to contact me, you may email me at contact@anchoredinknowledge.com.
#mentalhealth #OCD #tamarahilllpc
Resources used in this video:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder