Am I a Perfectionist, or Do I Have OCD?

Have you ever been told, “You’re such a perfectionist”? Maybe as you’ve gotten older, this label has been kicked up a notch and gradually turned into veiled jokes about having OCD.

Sure, you may have a certain way that you love things to be and prefer to be super organized and neat. But do you wonder if there could be some truth to all those little quips people throw your way? Where is the line between caring about doing things well and a disorder?

Let’s look at some fascinating facts and surprising misconceptions about that three-letter acronym (OCD) that is now so commonly trivialized. The most distinguishable difference is that perfectionism is a personality trait, while OCD is a highly underestimated disorder.

Common traits of a perfectionist

Perfectionism has good and bad aspects that don’t reach the level of disorder.

On the positive side:

• Perfectionists get things done and are committed to achieving whatever they set their minds to.
• Perfectionists enjoy doing things to help improve their lives, environment, or the lives of others around them.
• Perfectionists usually show great motivation and passion at work, work longer hours, and can go out of their way to achieve results.
• Perfectionists prefer orderliness and cleanliness in their own space, but they can still function graciously in an environment that isn’t up to their standards.

While having high standards and striving for excellence are wonderful traits to possess, there can be a downside to perfectionism too which can become unpleasant for everyone:

• Perfectionists can sometimes set unrealistic and unachievable expectations for themselves, making them feel like they’re always falling short.
• Perfectionists can bury themselves in the minutia and lose focus of the big picture.
• Perfectionists can make others feel awkward or be disliked for being a “control freak”.

Someone who is a perfectionist may be diagnosed with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), but it’s important to note that not all perfectionists have OCD. So how can we tell the difference?

Common traits of someone with OCD

A disorder is a condition that negatively and abnormally affects all aspects of a person’s life. It is more serious than most people believe and if untreated can become a serious problem.

• OCD causes intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions) that trigger repetitive behaviors (compulsions) typically due to anxiety or stress. Some examples include repeatedly bathing, cleaning the same place over and over, or constantly aligning trivial items.
• OCD obsessions and compulsions are recurrent, time-consuming, or interrupt one’s daily functioning.
• OCD forces one to feel an overwhelming need to complete those compulsive steps, causing extreme anxiety if they cannot do so.
• OCD requires a diagnosis and treatment, while perfectionism does not necessarily imply a mental illness.

One key thing to take away from this information: as a perfectionist, you may, at worst, be annoying to others, but when it starts to affect your daily life, then you will need to consider being tested for a possible disorder.

If this article has been helpful and you believe that further counseling would benefit you, contact our office today at Thousand Oaks Christian Counseling in California. The Christian counselors in Thousand Oaks, California would love to walk you through living a full and happy life whether you are a perfectionist or someone who lives with OCD.