obsessive
compulsive disorder
tulsa oklahoma
Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder (OCPD) is sometimes mistaken for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Although they share some common traits, OCPD involves a more general desire for control and strictness in one's life.
People with OCD, on the other hand, experience intense anxiety, often triggered by events, situations, or people beyond their control. This anxiety can sometimes get redirected towards something they can control, like germs. When their anxiety becomes overwhelming, they might engage in certain actions or compulsions to regain a sense of control and calmness.
Do you notice you…
Struggling to complete tasks.
Being fixated on making everything perfect.
Finding it hard to adapt or be flexible.
Repeatedly checking for errors.
Having trouble maintaining relationships and expressing affection.
Holding onto things you don't need.
Being excessively dedicated to work.
Focusing too much on lists, rules, order, or schedules to the point where the purpose is lost.
Having difficulty assigning tasks to others.
Struggling to make decisions.
Feeling anxious about making the wrong choice.
Being overly concerned about morals, ethics, and values.
For individuals dealing
with an obsessive-compulsive personality, there might or might not be a specific compulsion that helps ease their anxiety. For instance, someone with OCD might obsess about germs and feel the need to wash their hands 27 times a day, while someone with OCPD might simply avoid shaking hands. Generally, OCD tends to be more noticeable than OCPD.
People living with an obsessive-compulsive personality might not realize that their strong desire for order and control is unusual. They may see themselves as superior to others and project a sense of being better than those around them. Their pursuit of perfection in themselves often extends to those in their life, leading them to expect everyone and everything to be flawless.
These strict standards pose several
challenges for individuals with OCPD.
They might discover that they accomplish very little in practice because they spend excessive time planning, organizing, and scheduling. Sometimes, they begin projects but never complete them or discard the whole project because they don't think it's good enough.
Making decisions can become difficult because they're constantly preoccupied with making the perfect choice. This can lead to overwhelming anxiety or a fear of making mistakes, which can immobilize them. Additionally, they often tend to be very critical of others' work and may rarely acknowledge its worth or value.
By teaming up with your therapist
in a cooperative way, you can improve your relationships, reduce stress, and finally start moving towards the fulfilling future you truly deserve. As you work through the challenges of never feeling content and discover how to express your emotions while building trust in others, you'll experience a newfound sense of freedom and accomplishment.
Therapists at Exhale Counseling and Wellness are here to help you process past hurts and work towards a more nurturing and connected relationship with your loved one.
Maintaining relationships can be
really tough for someone with OCPD and their partner. People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder often struggle with communication, showing empathy, offering emotional support, and forgiving others. Their partner may feel like they're constantly being rejected and that nothing they do is right. It can be hard for them to feel a sense of connection or understanding.
Individuals with OCPD tend to believe that the people around them lack ethics, morals, and don't meet their high standards. This can lead to conflicts in their relationships with friends and family, limiting their social circle and sometimes causing them to isolate themselves.
Even though these challenges can be overwhelming, it's important to know that there are ways to address these issues. By working with a therapist at Exhale Counseling and Wellness in a supportive and nurturing environment, you can learn how to manage behaviors and thoughts that interfere with your daily life and relationships.
For family members of individuals
with obsessive-compulsive personality, counseling can also be a valuable option. It allows you to gain a deeper understanding of how someone with OCPD perceives the world and how you can support them in managing their symptoms. Taking care of a loved one with a personality disorder can be emotionally taxing, often leading you to shoulder much of the stress and anxiety they struggle to handle in a healthy way.