Overcome OCPD

I don’t think I have OCPD. More like actual OCD.

But I’m joining in with this because the support sounds like a good idea and they’re similar anyway.

It makes things so hard.

Even typing now.

I’m so scared to try and get over it.

Part of me thinks that maybe it isn’t an illness and it could be that I do have loads of control over things.

And it feels like a big risk to take.

Good luck to other people with this goal.

Most people are familiar with the term OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder); but not so much with the term for the milder disorder, OCPD (Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.)

I’m not REALLY sick like Monk on TV; but I’m pretty demented. I don’t carry my own plasticware to restaurants; but I’m not taking a bite of my best friend’s food. I don’t cover door knobs with a tissue; but I don’t touch germ-filled surfaces in public places like the magazines at the doctor’s office or the counter in public restrooms. I don’t open a NEW bar of soap every time I wash my hands; but I wash them a LOT.

For me it’s all a matter of degree or severity of behaviors. If a behavior is serving me well (being VERY organized), then it’s acceptable. If a behavior is annoying, interfering with productivity and well-being, or detrimental to anyone including myself, then it’s unacceptable. Being able to define obsessive compulsive behaviors in this manner allows me to feel ok about some of my quirkiness and to know when it’s time to reign myself in because I’m crossing over the line.

Sometimes I refer to myself as a “recovering OCD” if it comes up in conversation to avoid the long explanation.

Oddly enough, most people are so busy with their own lives that they don’t even notice my quirkiness. Even if they notice, they usually just comment that I’m VERY organized. ; )

I know I’m not the only recovering out there. In fact, there are a few in my immediate family. Hopefully we can encourage one another.

Oh, yes, I wouldn’t be my obessive compulsive self if I didn’t provide a few links for further info; so here they are:

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_personality_disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
http://www.thehealthcenter.info/adult-ocd/ocpd.htm

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/jsp/ocpd.jsp

OCPD : Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder Yahoo Group
http://health.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/OCPD/