At first glance, obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder sound the same. butactually different. Obsessive compulsive disorder is a form of anxiety disorder, while obsessive compulsive personality disorder is a type of personality disorder.
obsessive compulsive disorder (obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder characterized by an obsession that prompts a person to perform certain actions repeatedly (compulsions). This compulsive action is done to reduce the anxiety that arises from his own mind.
While obsessive compulsive personality disorder (obsessive compulsive personality disorder or OCPD) is a condition in which the sufferer has a very perfectionist personality and is obsessed with perfection in all aspects of his life. Often times, a person with OCPD feels that his or her way of doing things is the most correct and contradicts other people who have a different way of doing things.
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A person who has obsessive compulsive disorder usually experiences the following:
- The existence of an obsession in the form of unwanted thoughts, ideas, images, or impulses, but still appears repeatedly. In everyday life, this condition is often referred to as overthinking. In severe cases, overthinking can turn into an obsession. These obsessions give rise to anxiety or other negative emotions, such as disgust. Examples of such obsessions are excessive anxiety about cleanliness, safety, or symmetry (about shape and size). Sometimes, people who experience obsessions can also do it more often doomscrolling.
- Realizes that the obsessions and worries are illogical, but can't stop the thoughts or worries.
- Perform certain actions repeatedly to relieve anxiety. Examples are washing hands, checking door locks, adjusting the position of certain items, or saying a sentence repeatedly.
- The sense of calm that is obtained is only temporary, and the anxiety caused by the same obsession will reappear.
- Compulsive actions that are done repeatedly in the end disrupt the productivity and life of the sufferer.
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) Symptoms
A person with obsessive compulsive personality disorder has thoughts that are fixated (preoccupation) on order, perfection (perfectionism), mental control and control of relationships with other people (interpersonal). This condition is characterized by at least four of the following symptoms:
- The mind gets so caught up in small details, rules, sequences, lists, and schedules that it forgets the main purpose of the task at hand.
- Excessive perfectionism causes the task cannot be completed because the results of the work do not match his very high standards.
- Excessive dedication to work (not for financial reasons), so that relationships with family, friends, or those around them are neglected.
- Very rigid and inflexible towards moral and ethical values.
- Unable to throw away things that are not used or too often tidying and cleaning the house.
- Can't entrust work to others and can't work with other people unless they follow the standards and work exactly the same.
- Not willing to use money, either for their own interests or for others.
- Very stubborn and rigid.
Key Differences OCD and OCPD
Although OCD and OCPD have some similarities, such as obsessive thoughts that are difficult to control, internal rules that must be followed, and compulsive behaviors that must be done to calm yourself, there are some significant differences between the two, namely:
- OCD is usually only experienced in one particular location or aspect of life. An example is anxiety about cleanliness which makes sufferers wash their hands constantly. This is different from OCPD's perfectionism which is more comprehensive in all aspects of his life.
- The compulsive actions of OCD sufferers are carried out to prevent unwanted things from happening, such as bacterial infections due to dirty hands. However, in OCPD, compulsive acts are carried out because of the desire to achieve a very high standard of perfection.
- People with OCD often realize that their behavior is irrational, whereas people with OCPD believe that their thoughts and behaviors are the most appropriate.
In general, OCD and OCPD do both have obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. However, once again, OCD is a form of anxiety disorder in which sufferers perform repetitive actions (compulsive) to reduce anxiety from obsessive thoughts. Whereas in OCPD sufferers, their personality is indeed very perfectionist.
If you experience the above symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a psychiatrist, especially if these symptoms are interfering with your daily life and your relationships with other people.
Written by;
dr. Irene Cindy Sunur