Why can Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder be Difficult to Diagnose?

Living with mental health disorders is challenging when there is a lack of understanding about the disorder, its symptoms, and coping and treatment options. There is still hesitancy around sharing one’s experience of living with a mental health disorder.

Personality disorders are a branch of mental health disorders where you may significantly differ from an average person in terms of thinking, perceiving, behaving, and relating to others. 

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a personality disorder associated with anxiety. It is often confused with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This blog focuses on why is it difficult to diagnose someone with OCPD.

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a personality disorder that makes you extensively preoccupied with order, perfectionism, and a particular way of doing things. It can make you want to control the smallest details of your life even at the expense of your personal relationships and work profile.

The symptoms of OCPD may look like this:

• Being preoccupied with rules, lists, and the specifics
• Being stubborn about one’s beliefs and way of doing things
• Finding it difficult to see someone else’s point of view
• Not allowing others to do things
• Not being able to come to a decision
• Not getting tasks done because of perfectionism
• Not taking criticism well
• Not throwing away objects even if they no longer serve a purpose or are broken

While these symptoms need to be persistent and psychologically evaluated before you are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, remember that this is a treatable personality disorder. 

While talk therapy works best for working with personality disorders, medication is often helpful in coping with anxiety and depression that co-occurs. You can speak to a mental health coach for a free 30-minute call to discuss the treatment plan that can work best for you.

Also read: Overcoming Depression: How Therapy Helped Me

Why is it Difficult to Diagnose Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Similar to many personality disorders, OCPD can be difficult to diagnose too. This is because most personality disorders make you think that there’s nothing wrong with your behaviour, or way of thinking. 

It’s usually the people around you who notice the changes. When there is a lack of understanding about a mental health condition, it can be easy to think that this behaviour is normal and that this is the only way to live or be. 

However, you may seek psychological support for the conditions caused due to OCPD such as anxiety or depression. You may consider seeking therapy when the symptoms of your personality disorder start to interfere in other domains of life. This can look like getting into fights with colleagues or friends, getting fired from a job, breaking up from a relationship, or losing friends.

Also read: The Significance of Self-Care for Individuals Living with a Personality Disorder

When you go to your mental health professional, they will not directly diagnose you with OCPD only based on these experiences. 

The diagnosis of personality disorders is a gradual and careful process that takes place by asking broad and general questions with utmost understanding and empathy. Hence, it is required to be committed and trustful in the treatment process along with your therapist and psychiatrist.

Also read: How to Find the Right Therapist for Managing Personality Disorders

Another reason why it may be difficult to diagnose OCPD is that it requires consideration of your past history. With personality disorders, it can be difficult to provide an accurate picture of life domains such as personal relationships, career history, impulse control, and other daily behaviours. Hence, your mental health professional may have to talk to your loved ones to understand the history in a more holistic way. 

Remember that it is okay to take your time to consult someone about what you’re going through. Everyone starts their journey of treatment and healing at a different pace. With the right support and care, you’re sure to understand yourself better and live a fulfilling life.