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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 9:36:40
i don't expect a response to this question, but... Does anyone else have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD-- not OCD, though there are some similarities)?
i'm curious about how effective therapy can be for someone with this personality disorder, as medication is virtually useless, to which i can personally attest.
Posted by Dinah on May 13, 2004, at 10:15:55
In reply to Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 9:36:40
I don't have it, but I'm *very* familiar with it from personal experience. If you really want to change, cognitive behavior therapy has a better rate of success with OCPD than it does with any other personality disorder. This makes sense, intuitively. Have you tried it? If you haven't, but want to, it might be a good idea to look for a therapist with experience in using CBT for personality disorders. I'm guessing it calls for a separate set of skills and more experience than using it for anxiety or depression.
You have my immense respect for *wanting* to change.
Posted by Questionmark on May 15, 2004, at 15:26:10
In reply to Re: Obsessive Compulsive Personality » Questionmark, posted by Dinah on May 13, 2004, at 10:15:55
> I don't have it, but I'm *very* familiar with it from personal experience. If you really want to change, cognitive behavior therapy has a better rate of success with OCPD than it does with any other personality disorder. This makes sense, intuitively. Have you tried it? If you haven't, but want to, it might be a good idea to look for a therapist with experience in using CBT for personality disorders. I'm guessing it calls for a separate set of skills and more experience than using it for anxiety or depression.
>
> You have my immense respect for *wanting* to change.
Thanks so much for responding. What did you mean that you're very farmiliar with OCPD from personal experience although you don't have it yourself?
That's encouraging that CBT has a higher success rate with OCP than any other personality disorder. i have been seeing a really good therapist since December now and have been getting (/doing?) CBT from (/with?) him. i don't think he's specialized in personality disorders, but it seems like he's quite knowledgeable in dealing with them-- he's a really knowledgable and smart guy, fortunately. And also, i doubt i could find anyone who did specialize in personality disorders anywhere around here. But that is a good idea.
Anyway, nevertheless, i'm starting to feel kind of hopeless about ever being able to change this crap, because i don't feel like i've changed much at all (if at all) and i've been having good therapy for about six months (once a week on average)-- and i've already screwed up and wasted so much of my life at this point. i know it takes time but man, things are not looking up. And i'm only 23, but, that is stinking OLD for how much i have accomplished in my life.
Jeez, alright, i'll stop whining and blabbering now. i was just hoping that you or someone else might be able to provide some encouraging info regarding OCPD (er, more encouraging info).
Posted by Dinah on May 15, 2004, at 15:59:00
In reply to Re: Obsessive Compulsive Personality » Dinah, posted by Questionmark on May 15, 2004, at 15:26:10
My husband has never been diagnosed, but he was reading my book on OCD once and shouted "Hey, This is me!!!" I took the book and saw that he was reading the chapter on OCPD, not OCD. And I strongly suspect he was right. :)
But the difference is that he doesn't see anything wrong with being that way. He suffers anxiety, I guess. But overall he thinks that *everyone* should have OCPD and the world would be a better place. He'll admit this himself, so I'm not talking behind his back.
This is why I congratulated you on wanting to change.
My information about CBT and OCPD came from one of the last grand rounds presentations (I think, maybe an earlier one) on CBT and outcome studies. It might have been the guest expert speaker for this board who never actually answered any questions. I remember it because it seemed intuitively logical.
I know that helpless feeling. Personality characteristics are hard to change. I find my own hard to change, no matter what good intentions I have. I think it takes time. A fair amount of time. I don't know how encouraging that is. :) But I still say recognizing that change is desirable is the biggest obstacle to overcome, and you've done that.
Posted by shadows721 on May 16, 2004, at 16:51:34
In reply to Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 9:36:40
I live with someone with this. I am positive they have it. They had signs of it when they were a teen. Things had to be in order always. Doors had to be checked 3x. They can't take too many orders at once. They have to do things step by step. They stay in their head most of the time. They don't express feelings of sadness or anger. For this person, my significant other, will not get treatment. They think they have no problem. They have one geer and that's extremely slow. They are very intelligent, but everything is done methodically. Steps are done one by one. It use to drive me nuts, but now I actually have learned from it. I tend to do things fast and I do make mistakes. They don't, because they are very methodical. My significant other even has a nickname in his family, Mr. point by point. He isn't offended by it. Everything in his life is ritualistic and no one can get him to change his pace or pattern. He is in a job where he is fully in control and doesn't interact with anyone. He loves it. His life works for him, because his live adjusted to his personality disorder.
Posted by shadows721 on May 16, 2004, at 19:00:50
In reply to Re: Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by shadows721 on May 16, 2004, at 16:51:34
In my significant other's family, there appears to be a genetic component to this personality disorder. The maternal grandmother had it too as well as another sibiling has it. The sibling kept firing people because they couldn't fold towels right in her store. No one hired could fold right. She has everything done by itinerary. If you visit her, she has all your activities and meals preplanned on the computer. She too has a nick name in the family. Matter of fact, all of the children nickname each other. They say this is their sign for loving each other. If they like you, you get a nick name:-)
My personality is the total opposite, but I have learned to enjoy their unique qualities. When they do a job, it is done to right.
Posted by Dinah on May 16, 2004, at 19:08:31
In reply to almost forgot to mention, posted by shadows721 on May 16, 2004, at 19:00:50
It definitely does have its advantages. I can do very few things to my husband's standards, so he generally does them himself. :D
(See, the rule in our house is that if someone does the work, the other person can't critique it.)
Posted by karen_kay on May 16, 2004, at 19:55:05
In reply to Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 9:36:40
well, i've been dx with it. i think mostly because i explained certain 'rituals' i have (don't we all? apparently bubba doesn't think so). and i make lists. of groceries, or things to do, ect. and if that list doesn't look right, then i have to make a new one. i prefer to think i'm thorough and tidy. and i'm stubborn and don't like to work with others (they ruin my creativity). so, i think i have reasons for my behaivors at least, right???? as for being ethical or having morales, well that doesn't really apply to me. and i'm horrible with money.
but, i have noticed a marked improvement since beginning therapy. cbt. as my memory keeps improving (thank god!) i find i don't need to keep as many lists. but, when i do make them, i still correct and revise the lists. and at the very least, i've noticed my anxiety level has gone down tremendously. but, i still have my shower ritual. but, that's just so i leave the conditioner in my hair for a long amount of time. is that really so bad?
it's not really something i've actively worked on. and i still hate working with other people, unless i can have everything my way! and i still plan more than i actually do, i guess. hmmm, maybe i really haven't improved that much? but, i prefer to think i'm quirky and there's not a thing wrong with my personality.
here's a site with some info, if you are interested...
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-pe10.html
Posted by Ivan Michael on May 21, 2004, at 10:30:25
In reply to Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 9:36:40
i am prettie sure that i do. i started counceling about nov, i think. well i haven't been completelie honest with him...so...um...yea i still don't reallie know what is wrong with me because he can't give a diagnosis since i don't tell him everiething. i am a strange person though. i have been places that, i hope, no one else has ever been. i have also been places where others have and that is why they have problems. the problem is, i was never physicallie there. when i hear a storie or situation in which there is violence, especiallie rape, i start to breath heavie and i can see hear feel smell everiedetail. sometimes it's like i'm watching the event. sometimes it's like i'm the person being attacked. once or twice, i've seen it from the attackers eyes. i hate when it happens this way. i am filled with guilt and sorrow a afterwards. but back to OCD. i forgive but never forget. at anie moment, my mind flashes back to a bad event. out of nowhere, i will have a flashback to when my girlfriend hurt me, or this morning with my parents, or just aniething that willl bring me down. this is why i want to cut. it makes me forget. my mind bgoes blank. for a minute, i stop thinking and start bleeding. so i think i need to talk to my councelor about this. i don't know when i'm gonna see him next. o well. and as you can see, i ramble. so i guess you wanted help that i can't give. i need help with it too. and i know of several types of this dissorder. maybe someone else can help you. sorrie.
Posted by Questionmark on May 22, 2004, at 12:30:24
In reply to Re: Obsessive Compulsive Personality, posted by Ivan Michael on May 21, 2004, at 10:30:25
> i am prettie sure that i do. i started counceling about nov, i think. well i haven't been completelie honest with him...so...um...yea i still don't reallie know what is wrong with me because he can't give a diagnosis since i don't tell him everiething. i am a strange person though. i have been places that, i hope, no one else has ever been. i have also been places where others have and that is why they have problems. the problem is, i was never physicallie there. when i hear a storie or situation in which there is violence, especiallie rape, i start to breath heavie and i can see hear feel smell everiedetail. sometimes it's like i'm watching the event. sometimes it's like i'm the person being attacked. once or twice, i've seen it from the attackers eyes. i hate when it happens this way. i am filled with guilt and sorrow a afterwards. but back to OCD. i forgive but never forget. at anie moment, my mind flashes back to a bad event. out of nowhere, i will have a flashback to when my girlfriend hurt me, or this morning with my parents, or just aniething that willl bring me down. this is why i want to cut. it makes me forget. my mind bgoes blank. for a minute, i stop thinking and start bleeding. so i think i need to talk to my councelor about this. i don't know when i'm gonna see him next. o well. and as you can see, i ramble. so i guess you wanted help that i can't give. i need help with it too. and i know of several types of this dissorder. maybe someone else can help you. sorrie.
i dunno. So far i don't think that sounds like OCPD or, to some extent, OCD that much. It sounds as if you might have Borderline Personality Disorder. But i don't know. That would just be my best guess. Good luck with it.
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