By Marilia Priyanka Fernandes
She washes her hands a hundred times a day to make sure they are clean enough. Even though the skin is peeling off her hands she can’t stop herself. He has to check the lock exactly fifty times before leaving the house or else the anxiety of someone breaking in is unbearable.
She has to walk three times around her house to prevent anything bad happening to her children. He has to say a string of prayers every two hours so that he doesn’t meet with an accident. A little dust or dirt in the house upsets her hence she is constantly cleaning the house.
These people and many others experience similar situations. They have repetitive negative thoughts which produce a lot of anxiety. To reduce the anxiety they are compelled to perform activities like washing hands or checking locks. This is a very distressing problem called obsessive compulsive disorder.
However, not every one experiences this severe form of the disorder. In other instances, persons may be excessively rigid and orderly. A lot of rules govern their lives and there is no room for questioning. For instance a person may be preoccupied with cleanliness and will spend all the spare time in ritualistic cleaning. They seem quite nitpicky as they expect all family members to follow their rules. A routine approach is followed to everything which leaves little room for creativity. Things should be according to their dictates and they like to have absolute control. There is no particular obsession or compulsion like in OCD but their general predisposition is one of excessive rule conformity, frugality and inflexibility. Such people have obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).
People with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are very different from the ones having obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). OCD disrupts all normal functioning as the sufferer has to complete his sometimes odd, sometimes detrimental ritualistic behavior. Very often they lose their jobs as this disorder prevents them from completing their work. Personal and social relationships get strained due to the severity of the disorder. Hence, most often it is brought to medical attention. On the other hand, people with OCPD rarely suffer any occupational set backs. As they enjoy highly structured environments, some may even be workaholics. Interpersonal relationships take a beating. As they expect others to conform to their rules, family members feel trapped. They can be quite dominating and arguing to the contrary will leave others feeling drained. Hence, they have few friends and social contacts. Their constant bickering and nagging can make the home a dreadful place to be. OCPD causes more harm to people around than to the person himself.
There are a number of causes ranging from genetic and biological to social ones. Biological causes relate to neurochemical imbalances. Social factors include having excessively controlling and rigid parents. Children take on similar modes of functioning as their parents. However, given a good social background the disorder will not manifest despite biological predisposition.
OCD has a definite biological component. Treatment may involve medication. OCPD can be overcome through sustained effort by the individual. This involves acceptance that one has a problem which needs changing. Given their rigidity, this is very difficult for persons with OCPD. However, with a genuine wish to change and support from family and friends it is not an impossible feat.
