Personality and Personal Growth:
​Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 

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There is no such thing as a perfect world and this is incredibly evident when it comes to learning about personality types and personal development. You will find that when it comes to personality that there are a number of quirks and disorders that can alter the primary type a personal is. You will also see that a solid personal development plan that help people of all personality types, especially when a personality disorder is present.

One personality disorder that you hear a lot about is obsessive compulsive disorder, but it is not the condition that you regularly see on television. It is a condition where someone needs extreme perfectionism or else they experience a variety of symptoms that greatly disrupt their life. Those with this disorder have an overwhelming needs to control all aspects of their life and they need an intense sense of order. When these do not occur, they experience anxiety that can be overwhelming and all-consuming for them.

Exploring the Symptoms of this Personality Disorder

The symptoms of this disorder can make it difficult to function because everything is focused on being perfect and to a self-imposed set of standards. The symptoms can include:

• Severe perfectionism that makes is hard to finish tasks
• Formal, rigid or stiff mannerisms
• Extreme attention to detail
• Hoarding useless or worn items
• Fixation with lists
• Overwhelming need for order
• Rigid adherence to ethical or moral codes
• Extreme financial frugality
• Overwhelming need to always be on time
• Excessive work devotion that harms relationships
• Inability to delegate or share work
• Rigid adherence to regulations and rules
• Sense of righteousness about how things have to be accomplished

Knowing the Causes of this Disorder

This disorder is relatively common as far as personality disorders are concerned. In fact, approximately one in 100 people develop this condition in the United States. Men tend to experience it twice as often as women do. There has yet to be an exact cause identified, but there is evidence to suggest that this condition runs in families. Environmental factors in early childhood can also work toward influencing this disorder. For example, if someone was forced to essentially be perfect as a child, they are at a higher risk for this disorder.

How this Personality Disorder is Diagnosed

Diagnosing this disorder begins with ruling out any potential physical causes of the symptoms. Your primary doctor will do blood work and a full physical examination to determine if there is a physical cause. He or she will also look at your medications since some medications can cause similar side effects. If there is no physical cause, you will see a mental health professional for a psychological examination and a full review of your symptoms and lifestyle. This will ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis so that the proper treatment can be initiated.

The Treatments Used for this Disorder

Mental health professionals use a combination treatment for people with this disorder. The following work together to keep your disorder under control while also addressing your symptoms:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This works to help you see how you are viewing your disorder. It also aids you in developing the tools necessary to put less emphasis on what you do for work and more on family, your other interpersonal relationships and recreation. You work directly with your therapist for this treatment.
• Relaxation: There are several relaxation techniques that reduce the stress that comes along with this disorder. It also helps to reduce that sense of urgency that people experience.
• Medication: Things like being severely detail-oriented and inflexible might be helped by medications. In this case, your doctor will prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Having a personal development plan in place to cope with the symptoms that affect you the most can also be effective. Your mental healthcare provider can help you to create a plan that has the right goals so that it works in conjunction with your treatment.

As you can see, obsessive compulsive disorder is more problematic than popular television shows. It is a real disorder with real consequences for those who are suffering. It can affect any personality type and it largely dependent on risk factors. Creating a personal development plan to cope with your symptoms and various areas of your life can be beneficial to all patients. Your doctor can help you to create a plan that will work along with your therapy regimen to improve your overall quality of life.

References:

​http://www.healthline.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder#Overview1

http://patient.info/blogs/sarah-says/obsessive-compulsive-disorder