Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a personality disorder and not a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The main difference is that OCD involves obsessions and compulsions, and OCPD does not.

While OCPD and OCD share similarities, they are two distinct conditions. They both involve rigid behaviors and fixations.

However, they each affect a person and their daily life differently. OCD typically involves obsessions and compulsions that can be distressing, and experts once considered it an anxiety disorder. OCPD involves rigid personality traits and typically does not cause the same distress.

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OCPD and OCD differ in many ways. One way they differ is in their symptoms. Each condition may have varying symptoms.

OCPD

Common signs and symptoms of OCPD includeTrusted Source:

  • extreme perfectionism
  • heightened focus on detail
  • rigid belief systems
  • unwavering adherence to procedures and rules
  • reluctance to delegate
  • fear of making a mistake
  • drive to meet unattainable standards

They may also:

  • exhibit a formal, stiff, and rigid demeanor
  • have limited emotional expressiveness
  • respond to questions with exceedingly detailed answers
  • have limited insight and may not perceive their behaviors as problematic

OCD

Individuals with OCD may experienceTrusted Source obsessions, compulsions, or both.

Common obsessions include:

  • fear of losing control over one’s behavior
  • fear of losing, misplacing, or forgetting something
  • fear of germs or contamination
  • desire to have things in perfect order or symmetrical
  • aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
  • unwanted, taboo, or forbidden thoughts about religion, sex, or harm

Common compulsions include:

  • arranging or ordering things in a precise way
  • excessive cleaning or handwashing
  • compulsive counting
  • repeatedly checking things, such as the stove or the locks on the door
  • repeating words or praying silently

Symptoms are one of the key differences between OCPD and OCD. Another major difference is that people with OCD are typically aware that their unwanted thoughts may be unreasonable. However, people with OCPD often believe that their way is the right way and are comfortable with their self-imposed rules.

The table below shows some of the other key differences between the two conditions.

OCPDOCD
a personality disorder that involves a need to be in controla mental health condition that involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
signs include perfectionism and strict orderlinesstypically causes distress due to symptoms
traits tend to be persistent over timesymptoms may fluctuate over time due to anxiety

The diagnostic criteria for both OCPD and OCD are set out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR).

OCPD

The DSM-5-TR states that for a diagnosis of OCPD, a person must have a preoccupation with:

  • order
  • perfectionism
  • control over others, self, and situations

It also states that this pattern is shown through at least four of the following:

  • striving to do things so perfectly that it interferes with the completion of the task
  • preoccupation with rules, details, organization, and schedules
  • excessive devotion to work and productivity to the point where it interferes with leisure activities and friends
  • unwillingness to throw out worthless or worn-out objects
  • excessive inflexibility when it comes to ethical and moral issues and values
  • reluctance to delegate work
  • rigidity and stubbornness
  • difficulty spending money on themselves or others due to a belief they need to save it for a future disaster

OCD

A diagnosis of OCD is clinically based on the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both.

The DSM-5-TR defines obsessions as persistent and recurrent thoughts, images, or urges that are unwanted and intrusive and cause distress or anxiety to the individual.

An individual attempts to suppress the thoughts, urges, or images with another thought or action, such as a compulsion.

The DSM-5-TR defines compulsions as:

  • Repetitive behaviors, like handwashing or checking, or mental acts, such as counting or praying, that an individual feels driven to perform in order to neutralize or suppress an obsession.
  • The mental acts or behaviors aim to reduce or prevent anxiety or distress, or prevent a dreaded situation or event. However, the mental acts or behaviors are not realistically connected to the event or situation they are meant to prevent.

Obsessions, compulsions, or both must be time consuming, taking up at least 1 hour per day, or they must cause distress or impairment in functioning. They must also not be attributable to substance use or another condition.

Read about types of OCD.

There are treatment options for both OCPD and OCD. For each condition, treatment is generally tailored to the individual.

OCPD

There is no standard treatment for OCPD. However, various therapeutic methods have shown effectiveness in managing the condition.

These therapies includeTrusted Source:

  • Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy for OCPD helps an individual uncover the emotional insecurities that lead to the need for rigid behaviors and perfectionism.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapy that uses cognitive and behavioral strategies to help modify problematic thought processes and behaviors in people with OCPD.

There are no medications that have been approved to treat OCPD. However, some evidence shows that antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help manage certain symptoms.

More research is needed on treatment options for OCPD and their effectiveness.

Read more about treatment for OCPD.

OCD

Treatment for OCD typically involves therapy, medications, or a combination of treatments.

Therapies for OCD includeTrusted Source:

  • CBT: CBT helps individuals with OCD learn to challenge their unwanted and intrusive thoughts, determine how they affect their feelings, and then change the behavior patterns that may be self-defeating.
  • Exposure and response prevention (ERP): ERP is a type of therapy that has individuals spend time in a safe environment and experience gradual exposure to situations that may trigger their obsession. They are then encouraged to refrain from acting on their compulsions.

Medications for OCD typically involve antidepressants like SSRIs.

Learn more about types of therapy for OCD.

Can you prevent OCPD and OCD?

It may not be possible to prevent OCPD or OCD. However, early diagnosis and proper treatment can help lessen symptoms and manage OCD triggers.

Can you have both OCPD and OCD?

It is common for personality disorders to co-occur with OCD. OCPD is one of the most commonTrusted Source personality disorders to co-occur with OCD.

Mental health resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and resources on mental health and well-being.

OCPD and OCD may share some similarities. However, they are completely separate conditions.

OCPD is a personality disorder. One of the key differences is that OCD involves obsessions and compulsions, and OCPD does not.

The two conditions can co-occur together. Treatment for each may involve therapy and antidepressants. However, more research is needed on treatment methods for OCPD.