Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is generally knows by the primary characteristic of psychological inflexibility. In lawman's terms it is commonly recognized by the "neat freak" that can't stand their decorations out of symmetry, or the person that absolutely, positively can not take "no" for an answer on their ideas or input.
They typically are very strong in their conformity to rules, processes and procedures, and will not accept anything less then perfection from themselves or others. This is most easily recognized when dealing with trivial topics or situations that one displays a very unnecessary stubbornness to have it "their way".
OCPD are not the people that are seen as Jack Nickelson's character in the movie "As Good As It Gets", that performs tasks over and over again due to a compulsive urge, that is OCD, not OCPD. OCPD obsess on perfection and can not rest until something seen as imperfect is dealt with.
Having any sort of relationship with somebody that has obsessive compulsive personality disorder, be it spouse, neighbor, friend or acquaintance of somebody is extremely difficult and the sufferers will usually wind up as very angry, lonely people due to the excessive behaviors and expected demands they place on the people around them. Sufferers know very few gray areas of life, any and every subject and opinion on the subject is absolutely wrong or positively right, there is rarely a middle ground, making the person very hard to deal with or work with in any capacity.
These people can be characterized by a few means. They are often known to lose sight of the goal of a project in favor of making sure any related rules or processes are followed. They show a dedication to their tasks that is far in excess of what is necessary for the task at hand, and often sacrifice relationships until they get it done on their terms. Additionally they are typically completely inflexible in the subjects of morality and values.
If people with obsessive compulsive personality disorder ever do attempt treatment it is typically not done with medication though Prozac is prescribed at times. Generally it is treated by self help and psychotherapy.
If you have a choice of whether or not to deal with somebody like this, we would strongly encourage staying clear unless they are aware and trying to help themselves. The consequences of even the smallest infraction by yourself or your family from their decided social norms can be very problematic. In some cases, the rules that are placed by the sufferer on society do not necessarily have to be followed by the sufferer or their family in an effort to "resolve" or correct the wrongdoer.
Dealing With a Person With Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
This is a tricky proposition. The issue with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is that they are so entrenched in their beliefs that they are 100% confident that their beliefs and methods are the "right way" with no room for sway or negotiation.
It is hard to deal with because they are so buried in their own dysfunction they are unable to accept the fact that some things simply need to be let go of, even though that is exactly what they need to do for a healthier life. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder keeps them micro-managing everything because only they can do it to their satisfaction. Not having that control, and having no faith in anyone else to do any task right leaves them anxious and frustrated when surrendering even the smallest task to somebody else. They overlook the value or scope of any given matter by being to concentrated on the procedures and processes behind it.
It seems, from the information available that I have seen, that a few things that make it easier to deal with is simply to surrender to the most harmless sides of the illness. It doesn't take much effort to allow the person to maintain control over some things. Whether you live in the same house as the sufferer, work with them, serve in some organization with them or whatever. if some things just are not worth the time and hassle of going through the argument and control issues, let them have it.
Giving up a little bit of that pressure puts the OCPD sufferer in a better place. The more they are called out, or asked to give up their "control" the more anxious they become and the more problems that result from the anxiety.
The basic goal of therapy for OCPD is to build the ego and self-confidence of the sufferer and to identify through the therapy the situations that set off anxiety and hostility. In doing so one can learn what to avoid to keep a healthier relationship.
Like with most any personality disorder, the key to dealing with this person is recognizing it, what the hot buttons are, avoiding the buttons that you can and being understanding and supportive. If you need to set off the sufferer, such as in a courtroom situation, it is really quite easy, just apply pressure.
Treatment For Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is typically treated by a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Medications are not an immediate help, and as far as I can tell there is no "cure", so while waiting for the medication to do it's part, and to find the exact right medication dosages, psychotherapy is necessary.
The psychotherapy consists of counseling with a professional psychotherapist that understands the disorder and can recommend behavioral therapy to help change OCPD compulsions into more productive, healthy actions.
The possible medications that need to have proper dosages and mixtures calculated can be listed in a few different groups.
- Monamine Oxidase (MAOIs) which increase the levels of the neurotransmitters that influence behavioral patterns in the brain. This helps control the OCPD compulsions.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)which increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, a chemical known to influence the obsessions and compulsions in ones brain.
- Anxiolytics and other similar drugs are useful for treating the symptoms of anxiety commonly associated with OCPD.
For the severely ill, there are more extreme options for therapy, these options include electro-therapy and neurosurgery. Electro-therapy consists of brief electric shocks to areas of the brain while the person is under general anesthesia. These impulses are sometimes known to lessen OCPD impulses. In a more drastic measure is neurosurgery, which is actual physical surgery on the brain, in the specific areas known to send these obsessions and compulsions.
Beyond all these medical and psychological therapy solutions, there are also options of self-help.
Things that one can do themselves is join a support group and listen to others suffering with the same disorder, you will find a very accepting environment and possibly learn ways to deal with your compulsions in a healthy way.
Improve your diet and exercise routine, meditation and rest helps as well. The healthier the body is the healthier your body and mind will operate. A regular and rigorous workout routine is god for anybody, and if times correctly can help energize your morning, or help you sleep much more deeply and give you a better, more restful nights sleep.
If the sufferer has trouble sleeping, which is common, ask a doctor for help. A doctor can prescribe medications to help with sleep or provide you better dietary choices.
Lastly, educate your family and friends in order to help them know and understand the problem. Knowing will help them understand your compulsions more and hopefully deal with it more compassionately.
Messing With An Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Sufferer
As with any of these "how to mess with 'em" sections, I do post them with the disclaimer that such activities really are not the right way to go about anything. It will never solve anything, and will likely only escalate issues if it does anything.
That being said if somebody has made your life hell, and you feel an undying urge to return the favor, well, in the case of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, it's really not that difficult.
Many Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder sufferers are together enough to lead a reasonably normal, though very drama-filled, life. They hold jobs, work in community volunteer programs, and so on, so, they are doing all the things everybody else does.
If you are lucky enough to work with such a person, it is incredibly easy to get under their skin without ever really doing anything wrong, all you have to do is disrupt their apple cart. If they are "in charge" of any program, they will undoubtedly have a very firm idea of how they will run it, and typically will do everything themselves for fear of not being able to trust anyone else to get it done right.
Even if the rest of the team has a great idea on some other way to do something, or some creative thought of that nature, the OCPD will shoot it down and drum up reasons it can't be done (time constraints, availability of staff, etc).
The simple answer to this is volunteer to do it yourself. It may involve extra work, but it will bug the hell out of that person.
Point out flaws in their plans. Don't be rude, aggressive or jerkish about it, just point them out if you see them. That, as well, will bother the hell out of an OCPD and drive them to work at it more and keep them out of your way getting real work done.
