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.

Cleveland State University

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

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

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 

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.

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