OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE
PERSONALITY DISORDER (OCPD)
UNDERSTANDING OCPD
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a personality style that is characterized by psychological rigidity and perfectionism. Individuals with OCPD have strict standards for oneself and others and strongly believe that their way of seeing things is the “right” way. This type of dysfunctional thinking can produce a great deal of anxiety and frustration and cause impairment to productivity and relationships.
Key Features of OCPD Include:
Perfectionism that interferes with task completion
Infelxibility about ethics, values, and the "right" way to do things
Excessive devotion to work at the expense of other areas of life
Preoccupation with details, lists, rules, and organization
Hoarding or having difficulty discarding (worthless) objects
Indecisiveness
Inability to delegate or work with others
Miserly spending habits
Emotional Rigidity
Treatment for OCPD
While detail-oriented tendencies can be advantageous in certain situations, the rigid, controlling patterns of OCPD frequently disrupt relationships, work productivity, and general well-being.
At our practice, we help individuals with OCPD develop greater cognitive flexibility, balanced thinking patterns, and improved interpersonal effectiveness through proven therapeutic approaches, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help OCPD sufferers become more aware of their rigid rules and beliefs. Tools such as cost-benefit analysis can bring awareness to how their thinking patterns (e.g., all-or-nothing thinking) can affect their lives. Social skills and assertiveness training can aid those with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) in improving their social interactions. Some exposure and response prevention methods are also being utilized in treatment.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP approach entails individuals willingly confronting the very triggers and thoughts that provoke anxiety without engaging in rituals. Through consistent practice of exposure exercises, individuals will learn how to interact with their inner experiences and find new ways to cope with uncertainties. The goal is to help individuals live a fulfilling, values-based life while embracing uncertainty.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on cultivating psychological flexibility. ACT helps individuals develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and make room for unpleasant feelings, and learn new ways to interact with them while making values-based choices in life.
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help individuals develop a different relationship with their mind and learn how to observe their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without getting caught up in ideas and opinions. Being mindful means observing our inner experience non-judgmentally while staying present with what we have chosen to focus on.
READ MORE ABOUT OCD
