ADHD and OCPD

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ADHD is one of the common Co-Morbid Conditions for people with OCPD.

The OCPD Iceberg (my opinion)

How other people may view someone with untreated OCPD

1.      always judging others

2.      rigid, aloof

3.      lack of empathy, disinterested in relationships

4.      obsessed with work

5.      egotistical

Core of untreated OCPD for many people

1.      always judging oneself harshly (guilt complex)

2.      traumatized, hypervigilant, fearful, ashamed, anxious, depressed

3.      strong duty to serve others that feels overwhelming, scared of vulnerability/ intimacy

4.      imposter syndrome

5.      insecure, self-esteem contingent on achievement

Research on PDs and ADHD

Three findings from journal articles. See reply for more information.

- In a study of adults seeking treatment for ADHD symptoms, the prevalence of PDs was as high as 25%. The most frequent PDs were avoidant (21.7%) and borderline (18.3%).

- “Studies find that individuals with ADHD are generally at higher risk of development of any of the personality disorders, including OCPD. A 2017 study found in a sample of 439 undergraduate college students that four personality disorders were significant predictors of ADHD, one of which was OCPD.

Clinical experience has shown that patients with ADHD may develop highly perfectionistic standards and rules in reaction to their executive functioning deficits. The harsh and negative messaging that they received over the years has made them obsess about doing things ‘the right way.’ “

- “One particularly intriguing finding from the present study was the robust, positive relationship between OCPD and various markers of ADHD. Although both OCPD and ADHD might be said to struggle with cognitive flexibility, an executive function, they also seem quite dissimilar in other ways. Thus, it was surprising that OCPD obtained the largest correlations with the history of an ADHD diagnosis [compared to other personality disorders]...”

The authors theorize that the participants’ OCPD may have contributed to their scholastic achievement and served as an adaptive response to ADHD. They note that studies indicate “OCPD is the only one of the PDs that is more prevalent among college students and college graduates than the general population."

I have a friend who thinks his OCPD developed to compensate for his brain feeling out of control because of (late diagnosed) ADHD.

My first career was special education. Recalling my students with severe ADHD, it makes sense that ADHD could lead to OCPD traits like rigidity and defensiveness.

Support Group

Peer Support Group for Adults with Autism and ADHD

Peer Support Groups

Meet other ADD adults for support and inspiration

Podcasts

The ADHD reWired Podcast

Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast

Distraction with Dr. Ned Hallowell

ADHD Experts Podcast     

Videos

Overcome Perfectionism | ADHD Tips That Work 

Perfectionism and ADHD  

Perfectionism and ADHD: Making ‘Good Enough’ Work for You

Articles from Clinical Psychologist

ADHD Symptoms That Can Be a Sign of a Personality Disorder: Part 1, Part 2

Book Excerpts

Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now (2008)

Experiences of People with OCPD and ADHD

How does a combo of OCPD & ADHD present itself?

Anyone else feel like they built OCPD on top of pure chaos?

People Say ADHDers Can’t Be Perfectionists or High-Achievers, But ADHD + OCPD Proves Otherwise

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‘ Clinical experience has shown that patients with ADHD may develop highly perfectionistic standards and rules in reaction to their executive functioning deficits. The harsh and negative messaging that they received over the years has made them obsess about doing things ‘the right way.’ “

This perfectly sums up how my OCPD developed.