OCPD - Decision making with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. Aspergers Syndrome is a Similar Condition.

Marion (whose husband has OCPD) is a friend of mine who, when I saw her recently, was totally out of sorts and frustrated. When I inquired as to what was wrong I already knew it had to do with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, she just burst into tears and said, "I thought I could handle George's obsessions and indecision but lately he seems to be getting worse, after 10 years he still has not made a decision on whether to finally fix our house or sell!"

Marion and George have lived in their semi-renovated home (which George is slowly trying to complete) for over 10 years. This was not the first time Marion had worried about her home and whether she would ever have a finished house. Putting my arm around Marion we discussed further why George has never been able to make decisions lightly or quickly, no matter how small.

Read more about Marion's experience with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder in

• Aspergers and its affects

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a series of neurological disorders. Asperger's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder are both forms of 'high-functioning' Autism. OCPD is part of the spectrum because of the rituals a person with the disorder may demonstrate (usually not as severe as in classic autism). These conditions affect how the brain processes information as well as moulding the emotional and communication skills needed for everyday living. A person with OCPD is obsessed with perfectionism and always wanting to perceive things to be right. Anxieties arise when they see something as wrong, trying to 'fix' it may takes days or even years. They have a preoccupation with rules, lists, details and organisation.

When people are diagnosed with autism traits it is rare to find two people who will be alike and treatment will depend on individual circumstances and behaviour. These traits are not 'curable' and how they manifest in a person's life will depend on the individuals understanding of their particular trait (if they have any understanding at all). High functioning Asperger and OCPD sufferers can lead very interesting and active lives, especially when they are part of a caring family or in an understanding relationship. They may have a tendency of being loners as they prefer their own company or prefer not to socialise due to difficulties in relating to others.

Sigmund Freud first named OCPD in 1908 as "anal retentive character" and described the personality type as a preoccupation with orderliness, being frugal, rigid and stubborn. Since the early 1990's new research keeps emerging with the discovery that this disorder can run in families, so it is hereditary.

George's difficulties with making decisions comes from his perfectionism trait that interferes with him completing tasks, that is, to him it is never quite right or perfect. This also interferes when another person is required to help him complete a task, his fear will be that the high standards he puts on himself will not be met by the other person's handy work.

OCPD sufferers tend to be 'control freaks' and insist on being in charge (another reason not to delegate tasks to others). Marion has mentioned many times in the past that George will not allow her to contact tradesmen to help with finishing the house as "she won't do it right, what does she know about renovating and building?" This statement made Marion feel so angry she was stunned into not replying. A psychologist later informed her that it was George's way of expressing his concerns about the house, not on her actual abilities. Unfortunately OCPD does make sufferers come across as arrogant and they have no idea they are hurting another person's feelings.

"The trick is not to take comments personally," Marion informed me, "it has taken me years to understand that George doesn't really mean to hurt people, the way they express their feelings and doubts is different to people without OCPD."

For this reason personal and social relationships become strained when their partners or friends try to 'help' in some way. Their beliefs of how things should be done are either right or wrong, there is no compromise and frustrations may spill over into anger and sometimes violence (although this is rare as most sufferers are passive). People like George tend to be pessimistic and may have a low underlying form of depression which could be helped with medication.

OCPD is sometimes confused with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) but they are very different. People who have OCD understand that their behaviour is problematic but find it difficult to stop, however, OCPD is part of a person's personality and hence the reason they are unaware of the problems their behaviour can cause.

Marion is a friendly, generally easy going person and had she not been this type of character her marriage to George would have ended long ago. The rigidity and indecisiveness of George's character needs someone with an even temperament, someone who is able to 'let things go' and be there for the OCPD sufferer if and when needed. This is not to say that there a times when Marion becomes so frustrated she sometimes cannot let things go, thankfully these times do pass. Many of the decisions George makes are done after consulting Marion, even if he doesn't listen to her opinion, discussing the problem seems to help him to make a final decision.

HOW TO KNOW WHETHER A PERSON HAS OCPD?

Here's a list of traits a person with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder may demonstrate -

• Workaholic
• Difficulty trying to relax
• There's a right and wrong way to do everything, no compromise
• Will always find something wrong with other peoples' work
• Takes a ridiculous amount of time to make a decision, even with small matters
• Won't change their mind once a decision has been made
• Will not answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'
• Attention to detail is beyond belief
• Their moral code is black and white, again no compromise
• A hoarder, never throws anything out
• Will always do something themselves, even if they need help they won't ask
• Will organise a task meticulously then may not complete the actual task
• Appearance is always neat and tidy
• Meetings become stilted as this person will always delay decisions until more information is collected
• Monetary issues and balancing books are tended to by this person to the last cent
• Controlling issues, want to know everything is right all the time.

Cognitive therapy, some medications and a lot of understanding do help sufferers to cope and a visit to a GP is a good way to start a plan of action.

Relationships can be difficult at the best of times, so people like Marion cope a little better by trying to learn all they can about the disorder to help their relationship run a little smoother. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage or relationship but when your partner thinks everything they do is right, there are bound to be more problems than usual.

For further information check out the Amazon list, watch the video or contact the autism foundation in your state or country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhSDO5ogadA&feature=related

In Australia you can contact:

• Welcome to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
  Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is the leading provider of autism-specific services in Australia, building partnerships with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families and the community to provide information, services, learning and res
• http://www.autismspectrum.org.au

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