Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentsPreventionCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatments

Prevention

Coping

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)andobsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)are two different conditions. OCD is a mental health condition that involves obsessive, intrusive, andrepetitive thoughtsthat make you feel compelled to repeat behaviors. OCPD is a personality disorder that involves being excessively focused on order and perfection.

This article will discuss OCPD vs OCD. It covers the symptoms of OCD and OCPD, as well as how these mental health conditions are diagnosed and treated.

What Is OCD?

OCPD vs. OCD Symptoms

The symptoms of OCD and OCPD can overlap. People with either condition can have similar thought patterns and behaviors—for example, focusing on order, perfectionism, and organization. There are also some signs and symptoms of OCD that do not occur in OCPD.

Verywell / Laura Porter

OCD Symptoms

A person with OCD has true obsessions and compulsions, which are time-consuming and cause distress. People with OCD tendencies may have anxiety, as OCD is classified as ananxietydisorder.

AwarenessPeople with OCD usually are aware that they have a mental health condition. People with OCPD may not realize that they have a personality disorder.

Awareness

People with OCD usually are aware that they have a mental health condition. People with OCPD may not realize that they have a personality disorder.

What Does It Mean to Have Existential OCD?

OCPD Symptoms

OCPD is apersonality disorder. It looks and feels different than OCD. People with OCPD are strongly focused on—even obsessed with—a goal of perfection for themselves and others. They relentlessly maintain rules and order in their environment.

People with OCPD often:

Consistency of SymptomsOCD is based on fear, anxiety, and efforts to control uncertainty. The obsessions and compulsions of OCD can ebb and flow based on a person’s current level of anxiety or fear.OCPD is a personality disorder. In a person with OCPD, the behaviors do not fluctuate—rather, they occur consistently over time.

Consistency of Symptoms

OCD is based on fear, anxiety, and efforts to control uncertainty. The obsessions and compulsions of OCD can ebb and flow based on a person’s current level of anxiety or fear.OCPD is a personality disorder. In a person with OCPD, the behaviors do not fluctuate—rather, they occur consistently over time.

OCD is based on fear, anxiety, and efforts to control uncertainty. The obsessions and compulsions of OCD can ebb and flow based on a person’s current level of anxiety or fear.

OCPD is a personality disorder. In a person with OCPD, the behaviors do not fluctuate—rather, they occur consistently over time.

What Is Magical Thinking OCD?

OCPD vs. OCD Causes

The causes of both OCD and OCPD are not fully understood, but there are several factors that may contribute to a person’s risk of having either condition.

OCD Risk Factors

It’s possible that OCD is connected to:

What Is PANDAS?

OCPD Risk Factors

The following factors may influence the chance of developing OCPD:

How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Relationships

OCPD vs. OCD Diagnosis

A person can be diagnosed with both OCD and OCPD. Data suggests that OCPD occurs in people with OCD about 15%–28% of the time.

How OCD Is Diagnosed

To diagnose OCD, a clinician will use the DSM-5 to determine if the person fulfills the following criteria:

Getting an OCD Diagnosis

Diagnosing OCPD

To diagnose OCPD, a clinician will use the DSM-5 to see if a person has the following traits:

How to Live Well With OCD

OCPD vs. OCD Treatments

Medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both can be useful for treating OCD and OCPD.

OCD Treatment

People with OCD can be prescribed a type of antidepressant medication called aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI). These medications have been shown to help treat OCD and they are often the first-line treatment for the condition.

Different kinds of psychotherapy can also be used to treat OCD, including:

OCPD Treatment

Treatment for OCPD has not been well-researched. There are no specific medications for OCPD, but the same medications that help treat OCD (SSRIs) can also help some people with OCPD.

Small studies have suggested that CBT may also help some people with OCPD because it can teach them to examine their thoughts and actions.

How CBT Works

Can You Prevent OCPD and OCD?

Since biological factors like genetics are a known component of OCD and OCPD, it’s not necessarily possible to prevent these conditions.

However, there might be some interventions that can reduce the effect of a person’s environment on their risk of developing OCD or OCPD. Early intervention can also help reduce the severity of the conditions.

Education and improving access to effective treatments can help people with any mental health condition.

OCD Examples

How to Cope with OCPD and OCD

There aresupport groupsfor people with OCD as well as the people in their lives who want to help them. Some people with OCD find it relieving and empowering to talk to others who understand what they’re going through.

Many people with OCPD do not know they have a disorder and may not be aware of how it is affecting the people around them. As such, people with OCPD may not reach out for help or even realize that help is available.

Where to Get HelpIf you or a loved one is having a hard time coping with OCD or OCPD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineonline or call800-662-4357for more information on how to find support and treatment options specific to your geographic area.For more mental health resources, including a helpful list of links and hotline numbers, you can look at Verywell’sNational Helpline Database.

Where to Get Help

If you or a loved one is having a hard time coping with OCD or OCPD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineonline or call800-662-4357for more information on how to find support and treatment options specific to your geographic area.For more mental health resources, including a helpful list of links and hotline numbers, you can look at Verywell’sNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one is having a hard time coping with OCD or OCPD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineonline or call800-662-4357for more information on how to find support and treatment options specific to your geographic area.

For more mental health resources, including a helpful list of links and hotline numbers, you can look at Verywell’sNational Helpline Database.

Can Severe OCD Be Treated?

Summary

OCD and OCPD have similar names but they’re not the same condition. OCPD is a personality disorder and OCD is an anxiety disorder.

What Is Scrupulosity OCD?

Can You Have OCD About Relationships?

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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International OCD Foundation.What causes OCD?

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American Psychiatric Association.What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

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Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Treatments for OCD.

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