Today, I decided to write about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and perfectionism; although they are mutually exclusive diagnoses, well technically, perfectionism is not a diagnosis, they both share the need for control and, hence, worth exploring if you have OCD.
I don’t yet have an article on MoodSmith dedicated to perfectionism, but I recommend this one by VerywellMind and this one in Harvard Business Review.
To fully grasp the link between OCD and perfectionism, we must first understand the nature of these conditions.
OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions).
On the other hand, perfectionism is a personality trait marked by a relentless striving for flawlessness.
While OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder, perfectionism is not a recognized psychiatric disorder. However, it is often associated with various mental health conditions, including OCD.
| OCD | Perectionism |
| obsessive thoughts – intrusive thoughts, e.g contamination | setting the bar high |
| compulsions | aiming for perfection |
| rituals | critical internal dialogue |
| concern over external validation |
Link Between OCD and Perfectionism
Several psychological theories suggest that perfectionism may be a risk factor for the development of OCD. In their study, Pinto et al. explain how perfections can underpin OCD, affect the efficiency of treatment and suggest that it would be useful to consider treating perfectionism in addition to OCD.
This is because the high personal standards and fear of failure associated with perfectionism can fuel the obsessions and compulsions characteristic of OCD.
Moreover, societal pressures to achieve perfection can exacerbate both conditions, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and compulsive behaviours.
Both OCD and perfectionism involve maladaptive beliefs and behaviours. If you have undertaken Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) before, you should be familiar with the idea of maladaptive beliefs, but I shall recap. A typical maladaptive belief that most people can relate to, is that everything I do must be perfect in order to be loved. This is maladaptive in the sense that it shall hinder everything that the person does, where nothing will ever be good enough, but at one stage it may have been adaptive.
For example, as a young child, they might only have received attention when something was perfect and shouted at when less than perfect, so at some level, the child adapts to this and aims for perfection, but as an adult if they keep thinking this way, it become malaptive and is not longer necessary or healthy in their adult environment
Dr Elaine Ryan
In OCD, these beliefs often revolve around the need for certainty and control, while in perfectionism, they centre on the need for flawlessness and the avoidance of failure.
These shared cognitive and behavioural patterns suggest a strong link between OCD and perfectionism, with perfectionistic tendencies often exacerbating OCD symptoms.
I should point out that this link between OCD and perfectionism is really only prevalent when the underlying maladaptive belief has to do with everything being perfect.
Example beliefs
- everything needs to be perfect, or something will happen to my family
- everything needs to be perfect, or something will happen to me
All forms of OCD have maladaptive beliefs, which usually end with something bad will happen and it will be my fault. This is why compulsions are so hard to stop, as the person, or you, the reader if you have OCD, is trying so hard to protect the people they care about, to stop something bad from happening.
For example, someone could have the maladaptive belief that if they touch something dirty, they could contaminate a meal they are preparing and make someone else sick or worse. In this case, there is no link to perfectionism.
Anxiety plays a significant role in both OCD and perfectionism.
In OCD, anxiety is triggered by obsessions, leading to compulsive behaviours aimed at reducing this anxiety.
In perfectionism, anxiety arises from the fear of making mistakes or failing to meet high personal standards.
This shared role of anxiety and the need for control further strengthens the link between OCD and perfectionism.
The Impact of OCD and Perfectionism on Daily Life
Living with OCD and perfectionism can be challenging.
The constant striving for perfection and the compulsive behaviours associated with OCD can significantly impact an individual’s daily life.
These conditions can affect personal relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life.
Moreover, the constant anxiety and stress associated with these conditions can have serious physical and mental health consequences.
In personal relationships, OCD and perfectionism can create tension and conflict.
The need for control and perfection can strain relationships, leading to isolation and loneliness.
In the professional sphere, these conditions can hinder performance, with individuals often struggling with decision-making, time management, and productivity due to their obsessive thoughts and perfectionistic tendencies.
Decision-making can be particularly challenging for individuals with OCD and perfectionism.
The fear of making a mistake or not achieving perfection can lead to chronic indecision and procrastination.
This can further exacerbate stress and anxiety, creating a cycle of avoidance and procrastination that can be difficult to break.
Strategies for Managing OCD and Perfectionism
Managing OCD and perfectionism requires a comprehensive approach.
This often involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Remembering that what works for one person may not work for another is important.
Therefore, treatment plans should be personalized and adjusted as needed.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for both OCD and perfectionism.
It helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), a type of CBT, is particularly effective for OCD.
It involves gradually exposing individuals to their fears or obsessions and teaching them to resist the urge to perform compulsions.
