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What is OCPD? Understanding the Personality Disorder

Neil Howell

Updated: 4 days ago

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a pervasive and often misunderstood mental health condition that affects how individuals interact with the world around them. It is a lifelong pattern of demeanor and behaviors marked by an emphasis on perfectionism, control, and moral certitude that results in rigidity. While striving for high standards is generally seen as a positive trait, for those with OCPD, it can interfere with daily functioning and relationships and mental wellbeing. If you or someone you know has struggled with the challenges of OCPD, understanding the condition is the first step toward finding effective treatment and achieving a better quality of life.


Characteristics of OCPD 


People with OCPD often exhibit some of the following traits:

  • Perfectionism: Individuals with OCPD often hold themselves to high standards and are frequently dissatisfied with their own performance, no matter how well they’ve done. Often, they are driven to do everything "the right way," and deviation from this can cause distress and interfere in completion of tasks.

  • Detail-focused: They may have an excellent eye for detail but have a hard time stepping back to look at the big picture. For example, seeing a mistake in a sentence can interfere in processing what the writing pertains to.

  • Prioritizing work and productivity: This can result in neglecting leisure activities and relationships. 

  • Rigidity and Stubbornness: People with OCPD sometimes tend to have rigid ways of thinking and behaving. This often leads to a strong need for control over situations, people, and relationships. They may struggle to adapt to new ideas, changes, or perspectives.

  • Reluctance to Delegate Tasks: Those with OCPD often feel that no one can complete tasks as well as they can. As a result, they may take on an overwhelming workload themselves, refusing help from others.

  • Miserly spending and/or hoarding. 

  • Difficulty Relaxing: Individuals with OCPD can be highly self-critical and find it hard to relax or enjoy leisure time. They are frequently preoccupied with productivity and may feel anxious or guilty if they aren’t actively working on something.

(For more information, click the link here) https://www.ocpd.org/what-is-ocpd



The Impact of OCPD on Relationships and Well-being


Although striving for perfection is a quality most people value, for those with OCPD, it can have detrimental effects on relationships. The rigid standards they place on themselves and others can lead to feelings of isolation and emotional distance. They may become overly critical or frustrated with those who don’t meet their high expectations (including themselves). This can lead to significant strain on romantic relationships,friendships, and family dynamics and feeling emotionally isolated, misunderstood and alone. 


In some cases, OCPD can lead to treatment-resistant depression or anxiety. The pressure to always perform flawlessly can leave individuals feeling trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction and emotional burnout. They may feel as though they can never live up to their own expectations, leading to persistent feelings of frustration and hopelessness.


How is OCPD Treated?


Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is the first treatment designed specifically to address the problems of Emotional Overcontrol. RO DBT takes into account the genetic and environmental conditions that lead to OCPD. Emotional Overcontrol is a transdiagnostic spectrum of disorders characterized by excessive inhibitory control. This approach helps individuals recognize and change the perfectionistic thinking patterns that fuel their anxiety and stress, while also fostering greater emotional flexibility and interpersonal effectiveness.

In some cases, medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of anxiety or depression that can accompany OCPD.



For those struggling with OCPD, seeking professional help can be a lifechanging step toward improving mental health and developing healthier, more adaptive coping strategies.


Living with OCPD: Hope for the Future


While there are genetic and biological factors that lead to OCPD, a large percentage of people who meet criteria will no longer qualify for diagnosis at a later date. The skills taught in RO DBT help individuals learn how to relinquish control and perfectionistic coping strategies when the situation calls for it, enabling them to attend to relationships in a manner that actually works.


To learn more about how OCPD symptoms may change over time, see the following studies on diagnostic stability:



At Neil Howell, Psychotherapy, I specialize in working with individuals who are impacted by OCPD. The evidence-based treatment approach I use is designed to help you understand your own unique style of Overcontrol, build healthier coping strategies, and enhance your emotional well-being.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward better understanding and managing OCPD, contact me today to learn more about how therapy can help you.

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Neil Howell  Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist # 107610
21 Orinda Way Suite C132 Orinda, CA 94563 Ph. 510 898 6345 Fax: ‭415 306 8754‬
Email: Neil@NeilHowellPsychotherapy.com

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