OCD Related Conditions OCD vs. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder By Owen Kelly, PhD Owen Kelly, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, professor, and author in Ontario, ON, who specializes in anxiety and mood disorders. Learn about our editorial process Owen Kelly, PhD Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on July 01, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and host of the Mentally Strong People podcast. Learn about our Review Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on September 12, 2019 Print Manchan / Getty Images Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) are often a source of considerable confusion for researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients. Despite having similar names and symptoms, OCD and OCPD are distinct forms of mental illness that have unique and specific characteristics. The main difference is that OCD is designated in the DSM within its own category called obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. However, OCPD distinct from these and is considered a personality disorder. Characteristics of OCD OCD is a disorder defined as the presence of an obsession (an irrational thought or idea that continually repeats) or a compulsion (an irrational behavior performed repeatedly). These behaviors can occur together or on their own, and interfere with a person's quality of life and ability to function. Obsessions Obsessions are not simply worries about real, everyday problems. They are defined by specific clinical characteristics: Irrational thoughts, images, or ideas that won’t go away, are unwanted, and cause extreme distressThoughts accepted as their own, but that seem impossible to controlThoughts that are distressing enough to prompt actions to dispel those thoughts, such as engaging in compulsive behaviors as a means of distraction Compulsions Compulsions are neither routines nor addictions. Rather, they are characterized by abnormal behaviors that may include: Repeating irrational and often ritualistic behaviors, such as cleaning, hand-washing, counting, tapping, or double-checkingEngaging in repetitive behaviors for fear that something terrible may happen, such as getting an infectionHoarding things out of fear that something bad may happen if these items are not near youPerforming ritualistic behaviors to dispel anxieties about an obsessive thought, such as the fear of someone dyingRepeating behaviors recognized as irrational but which feel impossible to stop Characteristics of OCPD OCPD is a personality disorder defined by strict adherence to orderliness and control over one's environment at the expense of flexibility and the openness to new experiences. OCPD is characterized by personality traits such as: Excessive need for perfection and relentless control over one's environment and interpersonal relationshipsPreoccupation with details, rules, lists, and order that can result in missing the major objective of an activityExcessive devotion to work at the expense of family or friendsRigidity and inflexibility with regards to morals, ethics, values, and/or the adherence to rulesInability to get rid of items that no longer have value (hoarding)Inability to be generous to others OCD vs. OCPD While there is considerable overlap between the two disorders, there are four basic ways to distinguish OCD and OCPD. Presence of True Obsessions and/or Compulsions OCD is defined by the presence of true obsessions and/or compulsions. Conversely, with OCPD, the behaviors are not directed by uncontrollable thoughts or irrational, repeated behaviors. Feelings About Obsessive Behaviors or Thoughts People with OCD are typically distressed by the nature of their behaviors or thoughts, however much they are unable to control them. People with OCPD believe that their actions have an aim and purpose. Willingness to Seek Help People with OCD will often seek professional help to overcome the irrational nature of their behavior and the persistent state of anxiety they live with. (Some, however, may not see their actions as irrational and will not seek help for behavior they believe to be helpful or necessary.) People with OCPD will usually not seek help. They don't see that anything they are doing is particularly abnormal or irrational. Consistency of Symptoms The symptoms of OCD tend to fluctuate in association with the underlying anxiety. Because OCPD is defined by inflexibility, the behaviors tend to be persistent and unchanging over the long term. A Word From Verywell There are clear conceptual differences between OCD and OCPD. But in practice, these disorders can be difficult to tell apart. In some cases, a person may even be affected by both disorders. To come to an informed diagnosis and find appropriate treatment, it is important to seek the care of a qualified mental health professional. Some people with OCD and/or OCPD may not recognize the detrimental impact of their behavior(s) and may be in harm's way. If you know someone in this situation, encourage them to seek professional help in a supporting, sensitive way. Example:If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, OCPD, or another mental health condition, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Murphy DL, Timpano KR, Wheaton MG, Greenberg BD, Miguel EC. Obsessive-compulsive disorder and its related disorders: A reappraisal of obsessive-compulsive spectrum concepts. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2010;12(2):131-148. Brakoulias V, Starcevic V, Martin A, Berle D, Milicevic D, Viswasam K. The familiality of specific symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res. 2016;239:315-319. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.03.047 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Table 3.13, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Comparison. In: Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [Internet]. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016. Cain NM, Ansell EB, Simpson HB, Pinto A. Interpersonal functioning in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. J Pers Assess. 2015;97(1):90-99. doi:10.1080/00223891.2014.934376 Rowland TA, Jainer AK, Panchal R. Living with obsessional personality. BJPsych Bull. 2017;41(6):366-367. doi:10.1192/pb.41.6.366a Torres AR, Prince MJ, Bebbington PE, et al. Treatment seeking by individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder from the British Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of 2000. Psychiatr Serv. 2007;58(7):977-982. doi:10.1176/ps.2007.58.7.977 Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Washington, D.C.: APA, 2013. National Alliance on Mental Illness. How to encourage someone to see a therapist. Updated November 20, 2017. Oulis P, Konstantakopoulos G, Lykouras L, Michalopoulou PG. Differential diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive symptoms from delusions in schizophrenia: A phenomenological approach. World J Psychiatry. 2013;3(3):50-6. doi:10.5498/wjp.v3.i3.50