Tobacco use has been heavily associated with Cluster C personality disorders, of which OCPD is a part of. Compulsive exercise, a behavior present in some with OCPD, can lead to an increased risk of injury. More broadly, OCPD personality traits may negatively impact health through psychosocial stress overactivating the autonomic nervous system, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, metabolic systems,
and the immune system, leading to numerous poor health outcomes.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Factors Associated with Poor Health Outcomes in OCPD

While OCPD can lead to various negative health outcomes and behaviors, traits of the disorder may actually lend to healthier lifestyles. Traits of perfectionism may lead to greater usage of primary healthcare and other physiological management, actually leading to better long-term health.

Protective Health Behaviors in Individuals with OCPD

Obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) has historically been understudied. However, links between physical health outcomes and OCPD/OCPD traits have been documented.

Cleveland State University

Health Psychology research studies relating to personality disorders include:

- Long‐term physical health outcomes of
obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder traits

Health Psychology Research Relating to Personality Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (commonly abbreviated as OCPD) is a personality disorder characterized by persistent preoccupation with order, perfection, and control. People with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder display several or more of the following characteristics in ways that hinder social and workplace functioning: 

- Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules
- Perfectionism that interferes with task completion 
- Excessive devotion to work, to the exclusion of social and other leisure activities 
- Inflexibility about morality, ethics, or values 
- Inability to get rid of worn-out objects, even those without sentimental value 

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is characterized by an obsessive desire and preoccupation with things being neat and orderly to the point of inflexibility. It is an ego-syntonic disorder.

Some symptoms include: 
- rigid adherence to rules
- perfectionistic attitude
- failure to relinquish responsibility to others
- constant desire for control
- frugality
- hoarding

A disorder is proclaimed when these traits interfere with someone’s ability to function, and simply having some of these traits is insufficient for diagnosis.

Morreale, M., Holingue, C., Samuels, J., & Nestadt, G. (2021). Long‐term physical health outcomes of obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder traits. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(11), 2626–2637. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23207 

Long‐term physical health outcomes of
obsessive‐compulsive personality disorder traits

A 2019 study by Gadelkarim et al. examined the presence of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits among patients diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The study found that out of their sixty-seven subjects, twenty-four (35%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of OCPD in addition to OCD, and twenty-one (31.34%) met the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. The most frequently overlapping traits of OCPD and OCD included over-conscientiousness, perfectionism, preoccupation with detail, rigidity, and need for control. For those meeting the criteria for both OCPD and ASD, attention-switching, attention to detail, and social communication were all significantly impacted. Common traits in those with all three disorders included workaholism, perfectionism, preoccupation with detail, and rigidity. In conclusion, OCD, OCPD, and ASD overlap significantly and share many key traits, and understanding how they overlap may help with providing accurate diagnoses and effective treatments for those who have one or more of these disorders. 

Overlaps between OCPD, OCD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Reference for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Comparison

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Comparison 

OCPD is a common personality disorder that is prevalent in about 2.1 to 7.9% of the general population. Men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with OCPD.

Prevalence of OCPD

A key difference in OCPD and OCD is that OCPD is considered ego-syntonic and people with OCPD do not see their behavior and preoccupation as problematic, whereas OCD is ego-dystonic and people with OCD are acutely aware of how their affliction harms them.

Another difference includes that the underlying motivations behind obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Those with OCPD aim to have control over the environment, whereas individuals with OCD engage in compulsive behaviors to mitigate distress from obsessions. 

Differences between OCPD and OCD

Individuals with an ego-syntonic disorder have symptoms that align with their worldview and thus do not believe their thoughts and behaviors are detrimental to themselves or are inappropriate.

Ego-Syntonic

Otherwise known as Cluster C personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by extreme shyness, socially inhibited behavior, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of rejection and criticism. To avoid rejection, a pattern of avoidance is displayed, resulting in social isolation. Often, this disorder coincides with social anxiety disorder. Some symptoms include anhedonia (lack of enjoyment in activities), social anxiety, avoiding social situations (like conflict and relationships), feelings of inadequacy, and constant fear of disapproval.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Characterized by a dependency on others and anxiety experienced when alone. Individuals with this disorder have an excessive need to be cared for, often seen as clingy and needy, and cannot function without others. An anxious disorder, some of the symptoms include submissive behavior, fearing rejection and abandonment, desiring constant reassurance and contact from others, and having a strong sensitivity to criticism and rejection. 

Dependent Personality Disorder

- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Medication

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