Everyone has their own way of acting, which can sometimes collide with that of others. Most of us are able to find a meeting point and agree to carry on romantic relationships, friendship and work. However, there are times when we are unable to understand why ourselves or other people we know cannot change or compromise. In these cases it could be obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD). Only a mental health professional can diagnose it, but it is possible to learn to recognize how it is characterized.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Recognizing the Common Characteristics of the DOCP
Step 1. Notice if there is any higher than normal accuracy, perfectionism, and stiffness
People with OCD are perfectionists, overly disciplined, and concerned with procedures and rules. They spend a lot of time and energy planning, but their accuracy can be an element that prevents them from accomplishing what they need to do.
- People suffering from OCD are attentive to detail and their need to be perfect in every respect pushes them to control every aspect of their environment. They can get to control others in a fussy way, despite the resistance they may encounter.
- They strongly believe that it is necessary to take everything literally and follow the rules, processes and procedures, otherwise any kind of deviation from the method could produce flawed work.
- This behavior is classified as the first criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 2. Observe how the person makes his decisions and performs his duties
Indecision and the inability to complete one's activities characterize the behavior of people with OCD. Because of their perfectionism, they are driven by the need to act with extreme caution when deciding what to do, but also when and how they should do it. They often investigate down to the smallest detail, regardless of the importance of the decisions to be made. They are extremely reluctant to act impulsively or to take risks.
- This difficulty in decision making and in carrying out one's tasks extends to small things as well. They waste valuable time weighing the pros and cons of each proposal, no matter how ridiculous they may be.
- The emphasis on perfection also forces them to do the same operations over and over. For example, they might re-read a document 30 times before applying themselves in their work and, as a result, not finish it in time. This repetitiveness and unreasonably high personal standards often cause problems of a professional nature.
- This behavior is classified as the second criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 3. Consider how the person interacts in social contexts
Often people affected by this disorder can appear "cold" or "impassive", due to the excessive attention they give to performance and perfection, to the detriment of social and sentimental relationships.
- When a person with OCD attends a social event, they generally do not seem to enjoy themselves, but are concerned about how it could be better organized or give the impression that this kind of entertainment is a "waste of time".
- These people even go so far as to put others in trouble during a meeting with friends because of the importance they place on rules and perfection. For example, they could be terribly disheartened if, playing Monopoly, the "official" rules regarding the sale of houses are not respected. They may refuse to play or spend a lot of time criticizing someone else's game or looking for ways to improve it.
- This behavior is classified as the third criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 4. Observe the person's sense of morality and ethics
An individual with OCD is overly concerned with morals, ethics, and what is right and wrong. He is always concerned with doing the "right thing" and conceives it in a very rigid way, without allowing space for what may be relative or for errors. He is constantly haunted by the fact that he may be breaking or breaking any kind of rule. He is usually extremely deferential to authority and abides by all rules and regulations, no matter how insignificant they may appear.
- Sufferers of this disorder projects their ideal of morality and worth onto others as well. For example, he is unlikely to accept that a person from another culture might have a different sense of morality than his own.
- Most of the time he is hard on himself as well as on others. It can come to see even the most irrelevant errors and transgressions as moral failures. There are no "extenuating circumstances" for a person with DOCP.
- This behavior is classified as the fourth criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 5. Notice if the person tends to accumulate objects
Accumulation is a classic symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it can also affect people with OCD. In these cases, the subject can refrain from throwing away even useless objects, or those of little or no value. He could accumulate them with the belief that anything could be useful, thinking: "You never know when it could come in handy!"
- This attitude applies to leftover food, receipts, plastic spoons, dead batteries… If you can imagine a valid reason for using them, the object remains.
- Accumulators value their "treasure" and all attempts by others to disturb their compulsive collection of items annoy them considerably. They are surprised at people's inability to understand the benefits of hoarding.
- Accumulating is very different from collecting. Collectors enjoy and take pleasure in what they collect, without feeling anxious when they have to get rid of worn, useless or unnecessary items. Conversely, accumulators get anxious when they have to eliminate something, even if it no longer works (like a broken iPod).
- This behavior is classified as the fifth criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 6. See if she has difficulty delegating responsibilities
Often people with OCD are obsessed with control. They are extremely reluctant to delegate responsibility for a task to others, because they are convinced that it will not be done in the way they think is right. If they get to do this, most of the time they provide a list of all the instructions you need to follow to do it, even if they are pretty simple tasks, like loading the dishwasher.
- Often they criticize or try to "correct" those who do something in a different way from what they expect, even if it is effective or, on balance, does not make any difference on the final result. They do not like others to suggest alternative solutions for doing things and, if they do, they can react with anger and surprise.
- This behavior is classified as the sixth criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 7. Look at how he spends the money
People with OCD not only have a hard time getting rid of unnecessary things, but they continually save their money for tough times. They are usually reluctant to spend money on even the most necessary things, because they worry about saving it for adversity that may occur in the future. They manage to live well below their means or even to maintain a standard of living below the normal threshold in an attempt to save money.
- This attitude also entails the inability to divide up their savings, lending part of it to those in need. They usually try to dissuade others from spending too much money.
- This behavior is classified as the seventh criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Step 8. Consider the subject's inflexibility
People with this disorder are extremely stubborn and inflexible. They don't appreciate people questioning their intentions, actions, behaviors, ideas and beliefs. They always believe that they are right and that there are no alternatives to their way of acting.
- If they have the impression that someone is opposing and unable to submit to their domination, they are not considered cooperative and responsible.
- Their stubbornness often leads to problems even with close friends and family, who prefer not to interact with them. An individual suffering from OCD does not accept questions or suggestions even from loved ones.
- This behavior is classified as the eighth criterion for diagnosing DOCP in the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".
Part 2 of 5: Recognizing the DOCP in Relationships
Step 1. Consider if there is any friction
People with this disorder do not hold back from imposing their ideas and views on others, even in circumstances where most people would consider such behavior inappropriate. The idea that this kind of attitude can annoy people and lead to friction in relationships often does not touch them at all - nor does it prevent them from acting as they want.
- Such a person is unlikely to feel guilty when crossing certain boundaries, even if it means overseeing, controlling, interfering and meddling in the lives of others in an attempt to bring perfection and order everywhere.
- They get irritated, angry, and depressed if others don't follow their instructions. They can get nervous or frustrated if they feel like people aren't taking their side in an attempt to keep everything under control and make it perfect.
Step 2. Pay attention to the imbalance between life and work
Typically, OCD sufferers spend a considerable portion of their day at work - and they do so by choice. He hardly ever gives a few moments of his free time to leisure. If it happens, he spends it on trying to "improve" things. Therefore, he does not have many friendships (sometimes none).
- If he spends his free time pursuing a hobby or some passion, such as painting, or engages in some sport, such as tennis, he does not do it for the pleasure it gives him. He is constantly looking to master a certain art form or a certain type of game. Also, apply the same theory to family members, expecting them to aim to excel rather than have fun.
- There is a risk that this kind of meddling and meddling will make the people around him nervous, ruining not only the moments spent in company, but also the relationships.
Step 3. Observe how the person expresses their emotions to others
For most people with OCD, emotions are a waste of precious time that could be used more fruitfully in pursuit of perfection. They are generally very reluctant to express or demonstrate what they feel.
- This reticence also depends on the concern that every emotional manifestation must be perfect. People with OCD wait a long time before saying anything about how they feel until they are sure they are doing it the "right" way.
- It can give the impression of being very spontaneous or excessively affected when it tries to express its mood. For example, he might try to shake hands when the person in front of him shows an intention to hug him, or use overly formal language in an attempt to be "correct."
Step 4. Consider how she reacts to emotions expressed by others
People with OCD have difficulty not only expressing their feelings, but also tolerating the emotions of others. They can appear visibly uncomfortable in circumstances where people are emotionally involved (such as during a sporting event or family reunion).
- For example, most people consider seeing an old friend again after some time as an emotionally charged experience. Conversely, those with OCD may not necessarily see things this way and may not even smile or hug.
- He probably has the air of being a person who is "above" emotions and who looks down on anyone who seems "irrational" or "inferior".
Part 3 of 5: Recognizing the DOCP in Employment Relations
Step 1. Consider how you spend your working hours
It is a difficult task to meet the business needs of people with OCD, let alone impress them. By definition they are workaholics, but so workaholic that they complicate life even for their colleagues. They see themselves as loyal and responsible workers and spend long hours applying themselves to what they need to accomplish, albeit often with poor results.
- This is normal behavior for them and they expect all other colleagues to follow their example.
- They typically spend long hours working, but they don't make a great reference point. They do not have the ability to impose themselves as a role model for the people who work under their direction or alongside them. They are mostly focused on the tasks they have to accomplish, rather than the people they collaborate with. They cannot find a balance between activities and relationships in the workplace. They often fail to encourage others to follow their instructions.
- It is important to remember that some cultures place great value on being able to spend a lot of time at work, but this is not comparable to the attitude taken by a person with OCD.
- In the case of those who suffer from this disorder, it is not an obligation to work, but a will.
Step 2. Observe interactions with others
Individuals with OCD are rigid and willful in their way of dealing with situations, including those with colleagues or employees. They may be inclined to get excessively involved in the personal lives of others, without giving personal space or setting limits. They may even assume that the way they behave in the workplace is what everyone should stick to.
- For example, a manager with DOCP could refuse an employee an application for personal leave on the pretext that he himself would not take it for the same reasons. He may come to believe that the employee's priorities should be related to the company rather than any other obligations (including family ones).
- People with such a disorder do not consider the possibility that something may be wrong with them and the way they act; they see themselves as the quintessence of perfection and order. If this attitude annoys someone, it means that the latter is neither reliable nor voted to work for the good of the company.
Step 3. Watch for signs of interference
These individuals believe that others cannot do things efficiently. They believe theirs is the only way to do their homework, and the best. Collaboration and cooperation are aspects that are absolutely not taken into consideration.
- It is very likely that they try to manage everything down to the smallest detail or that their concept of "team play" is unhealthy, as they try to force everyone to do things their own way.
- They have a hard time letting others do the job as they see fit for fear they might make mistakes. They are usually reluctant to delegate responsibility and, when it happens, they control people to exasperation. Their behavior communicates a lack of trust in others and their abilities.
Step 4. Notice if you don't meet deadlines
Very often, people with OCD are so dedicated to the pursuit of perfection that they miss deadlines, even the important ones. They have extreme difficulty managing time effectively due to their compulsive attention to every single detail, even the most negligible.
- Over time their nature, their fixations and their attitudes risk giving rise to conflicts that compromise performance to the point of leading these subjects to isolate themselves as more and more people express discomfort in continuing any kind of collaboration. Their grumpy behavior and self-perception create a tense atmosphere at work that pushes colleagues or subordinate employees away from them.
- When they lose people's support, they become even more uncompromising in proving to others that there is no alternative to their way of acting. By doing so they risk making themselves further hostile.
Part 4 of 5: Seeking Treatment
Step 1. Consult a mental health professional
Only a trained professional can diagnose and treat people suffering from OCD. Fortunately, the treatment provided for this disorder is more effective than it is for other personality disorders. In these cases, therefore, it is necessary to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Most primary care physicians do not have the proper training to recognize this syndrome.
Step 2. Go to therapy
Usually psychotherapy, and in particular cognitive-behavioral therapy, is considered to be a rather effective treatment for treating people with OCD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is managed by a psychotherapist and allows patients to learn to recognize and change less useful thought and behavior patterns.
Step 3. Ask your doctor about medications
Most of the time, psychotherapy is enough to cure this personality disorder. In some cases, however, your doctor or psychiatrist may also recommend taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as Prozac.
Part 5 of 5: Understanding the Disorder
Step 1. Learn about the DOCP
It is also called anancastic personality disorder (depending on the country you live in). As the name suggests, it is a personality disorder. It usually occurs when maladaptive thought patterns, behaviors and experiences are present that recur in different contexts and significantly compromise a large part of the patient's life.
- In the presence of this disorder, the person has a certain tendency to exercise power and control over the surrounding environment. These symptoms imply an omnipresent concern for order, perfectionism, and psychological control and interpersonal relationships.
- This control is expressed to the detriment of efficiency, openness and flexibility, as one's beliefs are so firm as to interfere with the ability to carry out one's tasks.
Step 2. Distinguish between OCD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
The first involves a completely different diagnosis from the second, although it shares some symptoms.
- An obsession, as the name suggests, implies that a person's thoughts and feelings are completely dominated by an all-pervading idea. For example, it could be cleanliness, safety, or many other factors that have significant significance in the eyes of the subject.
- A compulsion prompts people to perform a task repetitively and insistently, without leading to a reward or pleasure. Often this way of acting allows you to chase away the obsession, as happens when you wash your hands several times because you are obsessed with cleaning or when you repeatedly check the door of the house a thousand times because of the phobia that someone may introduce themselves.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves intrusive obsessions that must be addressed by engaging in compulsive behaviors. Often people who suffer from this syndrome recognize that their obsessions are illogical or irrational, but they feel that they cannot avoid them. On the other hand, people with OCD, which is a personality disorder, often do not admit that their thoughts or pervasive need to relentlessly control all aspects of their life are irrational or problematic.
Step 3. Recognize the criteria for diagnosing DOCP
In the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" it is argued that to diagnose this disorder the patient must present in a series of contexts at least four of the following symptoms that interfere in his life:
- He cares about the details, rules, patterns, order, organization or schedules to the point that he loses sight of the main purpose of what he is doing.
- Shows a perfectionism that compromises the execution of tasks (for example, is unable to complete a project because its excessively rigid standards are not met).
- He is overly devoted to work and the idea of productivity at the expense of leisure and friendships (not to mention obvious economic needs).
- He is too conscientious, scrupulous, inflexible in matters of morality, ethics or values (without considering his cultural or religious identification).
- He is unable to get rid of worn or useless items, even when they have no sentimental value.
- He is reluctant to delegate tasks or collaborate with others unless they submit to his way of working.
- He spends little money on himself and on others. He sees money as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes.
- It is remarkably rigid and inflexible.
Step 4. Recognize the criteria for diagnosing an anancastic personality disorder
Likewise, the ICD-10 classification (International Classification of Diseases and Related Problems, drawn up by the World Health Organization) indicates that the patient must meet the general diagnostic criteria for personality disorder (as noted above) and have three of the following symptoms in order to diagnose an anancastic personality disorder:
- Excessive feeling of doubt and caution;
- Concern about details, rules, patterns, order, organization or schedules;
- Delusions of perfectionism that interfere with the completion of tasks;
- Excessive conscientiousness, scrupulousness and unjustified concern for performance at the expense of pleasure and interpersonal relationships;
- Excessive formalism and adherence to social conventions;
- Stiffness and inflexibility;
- Insisting on the limits of the reasonable that others submit exactly to his way of acting or foolish reluctance to allow others to do something;
- Intrusion of insistent and inappropriate thoughts or impulses.
Step 5. Learn about some of the risk factors for DOCP
It is one of the most common personality disorders. The "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" estimates that it is common between 2.1 and 7.9% of the population. It also seems to recur in the family, so it may have a genetic component.
- Men are about twice as likely to have OCD than women.
- Children raised in a rigid or rather controlled environment are more likely to develop this disorder.
- Children who are raised with overly strict and critical or overly protective parents are also more likely to develop OCD.
- 70% of people with OCD also suffer from depression.
- About 25-50% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder also suffer from OCD.
Advice
- It is important to note that only a professionally competent person is able to diagnose this disorder.
- If the behavior of someone you know meets at least three of the criteria for diagnosing an anancastic personality, or at least four of the symptoms of OCD (or if you have these conditions yourself), it does not necessarily mean that they have this disorder.
- Use the information provided in this article as a guide to find out if you need help or if someone you know needs it.
- The WHO and the APA (American Psychological Association) have produced two different texts, the DSM ("Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders") and the ICD ("International Classification of Diseases"). They should be consulted together.
