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Do you meticulously organize the clothes in your closet?
Color? Or keep a schedule so detailed that it includes blocks of time to eat, sleep
and commute?
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The term "OCD" is often used with lightness in
conversations and jokes about these little perfectionist quirks that a lot of
We have. But these things do not make, in fact, a person OCD.
And the OCD is not really a joke. It's often
misunderstood mental illness characterized by thoughts and behaviors that may make
it's hard for people to spend their day.
It can certainly be motivated by perfectionism, but it is not.
the same. This is not perfectionism either taken to the extreme.
"At a high level, the best way to look at OCD in relation to perfectionism is to figure out who this behavior is for and who is it bothering you," says psychiatrist Joseph Baskin, MD. "People with obsessive-compulsive disorder know that their behavior is problematic, but they can not stop it. Perfectionists do not care, it allows them to lead an orderly life. "
What does TOC mean?
OCD is a mental health disorder that involves repeated, unwanted thoughts or desires that cause anxiety. In order to reduce this anxiety, the individual performs a compulsive action or ritual – sometimes an action that is not necessarily related to the fear or anxiety she is trying to overcome.
They can understand that what they are doing is irrational
but still spend hours a day doing it.
"Sometimes people are afraid of germs. Sometimes it is necessary to count or some things happen in certain quantities, "says Dr. Baskin. "Sometimes it's just an obsessive thought that they can not get out of their heads."
For example, someone with obsessive thoughts on their own
the safety or security of their loved ones may feel the need to unlock and re-lock
their front door a dozen times before leaving the house.
"They know that they should not be forced to do it, but they have to
do it, because not doing it means having an increase in their level of anxiety
it's intolerable, "says Dr. Baskin. "The whole process is very embarrbading
to the individual. "
How does this relate to perfectionism
A person who has perfectionism as a personality trait may also have habits or rituals that she follows in a rigid manner, such as a certain morning routine or a way of organizing her office at work. But they do not necessarily do it out of anxiety.
"They are happy to do these things because it works well
for them, even if it drives everyone else crazy, "says Dr. Baskin.
A perfectionist has great expectations for himself and for others. This personality trait is usually badociated with good organization and goal-oriented behavior. A healthy perfectionism can lead some people to achieve excellence.
But, on the other hand, these high standards can also cause people to be extremely critical of themselves and others. Dr. Baskin recalls the saying that "the perfect is the enemy of good".
"When perfectionism becomes problematic, the individual himself is usually the last to know," he explains. "It's often their job or marriage that tends to suffer the most."
Help for both
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually treated with a
combination or psychotherapy and medications, Dr. Baskin explains.
Therapy can focus on the concept of "radical acceptance", a
approach that aims to help people stop fighting reality and let go of what they've
can not control.
Although behavioral therapy alone may be sufficient for people with mild symptoms, Dr. Baskin points out that the combination of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of medication commonly prescribed for disorders mental, is usually very important.
Someone with extreme and unhealthy perfectionism could also
benefit from psychotherapy. "But these people often do not ask for help because
they do not think that something is wrong, "says Dr. Baskin.
For those who experience anxious or obsessive thoughts or
behaviors that affect their quality of life. Dr. Baskin offers this
rebadure: "There are treatments and the quality of life can improve."
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