Obsessions, BPD, and OCPD

One of the most challenging aspects of BPD, and other disorders, is obsessions. What is an obsession: an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind? This increases anxiety and drive for impulsive behavior to lessen the lessen the anxiety and discomfort. Obsessions covers a lot, so I thought I will discuss this in the context of OCPD and its connection to BPD and treatment options. You might be surprised what you learn, let’s check it out.

• OCPD is characterized by excessive perfectionism, rigidity to rules and morals, orderliness, and control to the level that it impacts your functioning. It is considered one of the most prevalent PDs between 2.1% and 7.9% of the general population; BPD is estimated between 1.6% and 5.9% in the general population.

• There is some research evidence to suggest the presence of some early experiences leading to emotional difficulties in those with OCPD similar to those seen in other personality disorders, such as child abuse, anger, suicidality, and substance use; in one study, 72% of participants diagnosed with OCPD reported a history of childhood abuse, including 36% endorsing sexual abuse and 81% endorsing neglect.

Participants with BPD tend to expereince stronger and more negative emotions (anger, hate, resentment) and greater problems with emotional control that drive behavior than those with OCPD.

Individuals with OCPD endorse strong negative affect (including anger) that those without OCPD, and they have difficulty accepting, understanding, and managing their negative affect effectively. However, they report being able to control the expression of these emotions whereas those with BPD, report being unable to keep impulses in check. Degrees of difference.

They both tend to have difficulty completing tasks and concentrating when upset, but this may be due to the tendency of both disorders to having problems with rumination, fixations, or obsessions with thoughts and preoccupational thinking (“I can’t get it out of my head”).

Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Texas, international speaker, and award winning author. He has been specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders for over 15 years in the state and federal prison system, universities, and in private practice. His specialty areas include personality disorders, ethics, burnout prevention, and emotional intelligence.

He has published several articles in these areas and is the author of:

Thank you for your attention and I hope you enjoy my videos and find them helpful and subscribe. I always welcome topic suggestions and comments.

Citation:
Miller, T. W., & Kraus, R. F. (2007). Modified dialectical behavior therapy and problem solving for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 37(2), 79-85.
Steenkamp, M. M., Suvak, M. K., Dickstein, B. D., Shea, M. T., & Litz, B. T. (2015). Emotional functioning in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: Comparison to borderline personality disorder and healthy controls. Journal of Personality Disorders, 29(6), 794-808.

[donnygat]

Can you do a video on BPD and feelings of inferiority/feeling like a child? I notice this a lot in myself and I wonder if it's common with people who have the disorder. I feel like a small child a lot, like I dont know how to do anything for myself. For many people I think that feeling leads to co-dependence but I just end up feeling overwhelmed all the time forcing myself to rely on me. I feel like I'm simultaneously parenting myself/teaching myself basic life lessons that shouldve been handled in childhood while also dealing with my actual adult life.

[orangoetan]

I’m obsessed with my bpd diagnosis - looking forward to healing so badly

[joewinters]

BPD has completely destroyed My spirit and any lust for life leaving Me Cold, Dry, Bitter, Angry, suspicious...etc...I feel like it has aged Me prematurely also

[gordanacvetkovic]

I've never heard that some psychologist so
precisely and fundamentally explains, present and encourages persons with BPD as You do.Thank You so much!

[GeorgeAAspros]

My sister & I have been clinically diagnosed BPD & OCPD respectively. We created a pact when I was 10 to stop fighting because we are all we have throughout our lives. I’ve noticed I cannot drop a subject if there is a question of morality with someone else, or a false implication of my true feelings & intent behind dialogue. My parents & step-parents are all cluster B’s & I’ve recently been understanding why I was “outcast, ” & how my role as the ‘family diplomat’ has been relied upon for every disagreement. Living that role 20+ years since has damaged my social core. Thank you for breaking this down for me so I can better understand how to communicate with my family more effectively.

[savedbyhismercyandlove]

I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE BUT AFRIAD OF AND DONT TRUST LOATHING BUT DONT KNOW HOW TO CHANGE SO I CAN LIKE MYSELF

[jacquelinefirkins]

I obsess over people that treat me like sh!t. I just cannot let it go! God I love your videos 🤘

[Partycitybaex]

Holy crap. I was diagnosed with BPD when I was hospitalized and when I researched it all, I was thinking wow! That explains everything! However.. Now that you compare it to OCPD.. that sounds more like me. For example: experiencing stronger, more angry emotions (holding it all inside) difficulty with accepting emotions (every time I cry in public, I'm always hard on myself by telling people that I'm a dramatic cry baby), and the extreme rumination.

[hcniz]

Dr. Fox you are totally awesome with your knowledge of this disease, your methods in managing and understanding this disease save lives. Please keep up the excellent work.

[savedbyhismercyandlove]

WHAT IS THE ROOT OF THE EMPTY DEAD FEELING INSIDE AND ALSO THE EXTREME ANTI-SOCIAL/LONELINESS ?
THE BLAND/DULL COMPLETE LACK OF PERSONALITY AND LACK OF EMPATHY/SYMPATHY AS WELL....
SO MANY THINGS IT SEEMS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE THEM...I AM 44 AND SEEM TO BE ONLY GETTING WORSE...CAN'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE I AM SO COLD ANGRY AND DEAD INSIDE....I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE

[doublelibra]

Went through a breakup Labor Day weekend, and I can't get what happened out of my head. But, it's almost the end of October, and I feel ashamed that I'm not over it yet, like I'm on some sort of time clock. So, I feel bad because of the breakup, but I put all this pressure on myself, feeling awful about myself because I'm not over it. I'm so perfectionistic with myself.

[brookemichelle]

I am not sure sir if you know what a wonderful caring person you are. You are doung something so great for people who are lost and afraid looking for help but doctors dont know what to do or dont care really. Watching your videos gives us hope!! Thank you

[TallMichelleWithTheLongHair]

My mind is actually blown right now. Wow.. so interesting. It's absolutely amazing how the brain works and responds.

[gamingwithkev]

I have OCD and can't get things that happened in my past out my head. There are so many people that hurt me who I went to hurt so bad. I keep getting intrusive thoughts about busting one guy in his head. He was extremely jealous and narcissistic and always tried to get me down but ended up mad because I ignored him and never paid him any attention.

[gailwestphal]

Sweet Jesus, so many overlaps in these disorders. I can completely relate to the perfectionism to try and control how I was feeling. I remember the depression that followed my physical exhaustion from being a perfectionist throughout my teens and twenties and into in my early thirties. 25 years later I simply try to get basic things done and anything extra is just a bonus. I’m just gonna relax and let my doctor deal with labels. Too overwhelming for me to sort it all out. On a brighter note, I have gained insight into my recapitulation and how it feeds my victimology. How I continue to set myself up to suffer so that I can validate and feed the need to use this to get sympathy, and to SUFFER some more and I do it to MYSELF! Omg, It’s exhausting to engage in all of these behaviors and I just need and want a simpler life for Gods sake. 🙏🏻😊🙏🏻

[N]

Would be nice to have more videos like this with bpd and ocpd. Especially for ocpd, it's not easy to find material on YouTube. Many people are sharing videos with their personal experience, which is cool, anyway would be nice and useful to have a professional talking about it. Thank you Dr Fox! 🦊🙏

[tracynewton]

I wish i never found out i had this diagnosos. Got another load of healing to do yet again. At least we can help others if need be. X

[danashaun]

I've been obsessed with mental illness for about 15 years. Being BPD was pointed out to me in my early 20s but I went into denial. That's when I started researching because I had to prove it was something else...now here I am, obsessed with BPD because I told my psychiatrist that I was BPD and he dismissed me as his patient. After a long conversation...he took me back but still. It was pretty crushing to finally face it and have my dr turn his back on me.

[savedbyhismercyandlove]

THE LACK OF IDENTITY IE JUST ALWAYS BEING IN THE MIDDLE/ON THE FENCE NEVER KNOWING WHERE I STAND IS SO PAINFULLY FRUSTRATING AND ANGER INDUCING...THE KNOWING THAT I WILL NEVER HAVE A PARTNER OR ANY SORT OF LIFE WORTH LIVING IS SO SUICIDE

[dreamznaspiratons]

most of the time its cptsd from trauma. especially narcistic parents