From Robert (Bob) H. Bean, Ph.D.

I am a clinical psychologist so maybe a little info on OCD can help. First, many people confuse Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). With the O-C Personality disorder, we are taliking about long-standing personality traits of orderliness, cleanliness, etc. These people tend to have a personality that has traits that significantly interfere with functioing (i.e., they consistently experience problems - usually in interatctions with others- due to their excessive traits of perfectionism, orderliness, and need for control. They tend to be preoccuppied with details, lists, rules, and order. They may be unable to complete a task because of overly strict standards, and can be excessively devoted to work (to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships), and are often described as overconscientious, scruplulous and inflexible. They may have difficulty throwing out old/worn-out objects and be reluctant to delegate tasks to others. A general rigidity and subborness is noticed.

OCD, on the other hand, is not a personality type, but a more transient disorder. It is characterised as an anxiety disorder. These people expeience either obsessions or compulsions (or both). Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that are experienced as intrusive or inappropriate and they cause distress for the person. These are not simply excessive sorries and attempts to suppress such thoughts are generally made with little success. Compusions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsesssion or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. Handwashing, ordering, checking counting, repeating words are all common compulsions. The compulsive behaviors are generally aimed at reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation, though they are not connected in a realistic way to the fear.

People with OCD often respond well to medications. The person might wish to see their physician or a psychiatrist to discuss the various medication options. Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (a type of anti-depressant) are probably the most frequently prescribed type of medication for this disorder, though other types of medications may be used. In addition, psychotherapy sessions aimed at anxiety reduction and helping with thought stopping or other behavioral techniques can be a useful adjunct to the medication.

People with O-C Personality Disorder need to engage in psychotherapy to learn more about their personality style. Learn how to recognize the “red flags” that they are “going overboard” with their O-C behaviors, and learn alternative coping mechanisms. They will not ever change heir personality style, but that can learn to recognize the behaviors that cause them difficulties and develop alternative skills. Due to their O-C personality style (they are thorough, good students who want to do well!), it is my experience that these people respond fairly well to the therapy.

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