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| Symptoms of OCD | Symptoms of OCPD |
|---|---|
| Intrusive thoughts | Need for control |
| Compulsions to engage in certain behaviors | Excessive attention to detail |
| Fear of germs or contamination | Strict orderliness |
| Excessive handwashing or showering | Perfectionism |
| Desire to have objects symmetrical or in perfect order | Desire to be in charge |
| Repeatedly checking areas of the home, such as the door lock or stove | Not open to new experiences |
| Compulsive counting | Adherence to rules |
| Actions driven by obsessions and compulsions | Actions not driven by obsessions or compulsions |
| Finds behaviors distressing | Believes behaviors are necessary |
| Symptoms increase during times of stress | Symptoms are persistent |
| Unable to control behaviors and thoughts | Difficulty empathizing with others |
| Do not get any pleasure from behaviors | Appear restrained or restricted |
OCD and OCPD are different conditions that cause very different experiences. While a person with OCD may appear to take similar actions to a person with OCPD, their inner thoughts and motivations vary greatly.
OCD Causes True Obsessions and Compulsions
While people with OCPD experience a strong desire for control and perfectionism, they do not have obsessions or compulsions. People with OCD experience true obsessions and compulsions that greatly interfere with their lives.
Obsessions are irrational thoughts or ideas that a person has repeatedly. Compulsions are irrational behaviors performed repeatedly. For example, this can look like excessively washing hands or repeatedly checking if the door is locked.
The Experiences Are Different
People with OCD tend to find their obsessions and compulsions distressing. They know that their behaviors are not normal or helpful but find themselves unable to stop. People with OCPD, however, tend to believe that their behaviors are necessary and helpful. They do not feel distressed by their actions and think their behaviors make sense.
Someone living with OCD usually experiences more intense obsessions and compulsions during times of stress and anxiety. Their symptoms fluctuate based on their mood and stressors. On the other hand, people living with OCPD have persistent symptoms that do not come and go.
Each Condition Is Diagnosed Differently
OCD and OCPD are classified as different conditions, so the diagnosis process differs. OCD is an anxiety disorder, while OCPD is a personality disorder. To diagnose OCD or OCPD, a mental health provider will ask several questions about your thoughts, behaviors, and experiences to learn how they’re affecting your daily life and overall well-being.
To receive a diagnosis for OCD, your mental health provider will look for the following symptoms:
- Intrusive thoughts and behaviors take an hour or more each day
- Difficulty controlling thoughts or behaviors
- Behaviors provide some relief from anxiety but are not enjoyable
- Symptoms interfere with your relationships, work, and life
- Obsessions and compulsions are not due to a substance use disorder
To be diagnosed with OCPD, the following symptoms must be present:
- Intense desire for control and perfection
- Extreme devotion to work
- Inability to empathize with others
- Preoccupation with rules, lists, and order
- Rigid or inflexible with regulations, values, and ethics
- Difficulty maintaining personal relationships
While these conditions are classified under different disorders, both OCD and OCPD can greatly affect your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
They Often Occur at the Same Age
Both OCD and OCPD tend to affect people of similar ages. These two disorders are most likely to start causing symptoms in late adolescence or early adulthood. People in their late teens or early twenties are at the highest risk of being diagnosed with OCD or OCPD.
Both Conditions Affect Relationships
OCD and OCPD cause symptoms that significantly affect your daily life and relationships. Someone with OCD often feels controlled by their obsessions and compulsions. This can make it difficult to maintain close relationships. Because people with OCPD have a strong need to control the people around them, they may have a challenging time staying in relationships with friends and family.
Treatment Looks Similar
The recommended treatment for OCD and OCPD is psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on how to address unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is the most commonly recommended for both OCD and OCPD treatment.
People with OCPD may also benefit from psychodynamic therapy, a type of therapy that helps you make connections between your past experiences and current behaviors.
People with OCD may also benefit from exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), a type of therapy that slowly and gradually exposes a person to their obsessions. An example may include touching a dirty surface or leaving a framed picture crooked on the wall.
Many mental health conditions can often occur at the same time. It is possible to experience both OCD and OCPD at the same time. In fact, up to 20-30% of people with OCPD may also have OCD.
Both conditions tend to develop when a person is in their late teens or early twenties. If you notice changes to your mental health or behaviors, seeing a primary care provider or mental health professional can help you understand what you’re experiencing and start treatment if necessary.
If your primary care provider suspects you may have an underlying mental health condition, they’ll likely refer you to a mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, other mental health providers, such as social workers and therapists, can also help you manage your condition well.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are mental health conditions that significantly affect your thoughts and behaviors.
OCD is a disorder that causes intrusive thoughts, obsessions, and compulsions, while OCPD is a personality disorder that causes an intense need for control and perfection. While they can affect your life experience differently, the age of onset and treatment plans often look similar.
