How are anxiety disorders different to personality disorders?
Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on August 20, 2025
Question
I’m confused about the difference between anxiety disorders and personality disorders, especially when it comes to OCD and OCPD. I’ve been struggling to manage the house and kids, feeling overwhelmed, and getting little to nothing done each day. I assumed it was depression, but my counselor helped me realize that it’s actually extreme anxiety and perfectionism. It’s more about a fear of failure that causes me to freeze up.
Many traits linked to OCPD seem to fit me, but my counselor called it OCD, even though I don’t have the typical symptoms usually associated with it. I’ve read that a lot of sources try to explain the differences between OCD and OCPD, but to me, they still seem very similar.
How can someone tell which one they’re dealing with? Does it really matter to have an exact diagnosis? Do different diagnoses lead to different medications or treatments?
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Answer
You are asking some very good questions that confuse many people. There are vast differences between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) versus Obsessional Personality Disorder (OCPD).
People with OCD are keenly aware of their problem. They know they are anxious and fearful. They know they are doing some strange things to attempt to control their fears, such as repeatedly checking the front door to be sure it is locked when they know they locked it. Yet, they will check over and over again, plagued by doubts that it could still be unlocked. This is just one example.
People with an Obsessional Personality Disorder are totally unaware that they have a disorder. They may live very narrow lives, living in rigid daily patterns that wll not deviate under any conditions. For example, if they go to the gym at 6pm everyday, they will not change that even if they have the chance to have sex. This is just one example. To them, this makes sense and they see nothing wrong. They are not even aware that they are rigid or that they have anxiety.
There are several treatments for OCD, such as being prohibited from doing the repetitive behavior and, thereby, learning that nothing bad will happen. This is a behavioral type of therapy. There is also anti depressant medication that reduces anxiety, depression and OCD symptoms. Lets not forget Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy as well.
It is difficult to get someone with an Obsessional Personality disorder to consider psychotherapy because they believe they are fine and everyone else has problems. If they get into therapy they are difficult to treat because of their rigidity and defensiveness. However, there are those who do benefit from therapy.
Depression, which has to do with feeling sad and hopeless, goes along with OCD and is not separate. Being a perfectionist is also not unusual with OCD. With the Obsessional Personality Disorder, there is perfectionism in the form of following strict rules. However, the rules are followed for the sake of the rules with no regard to their purpose. With this personality disorder, there are no grey areas in life, only black and white, right and wrong.
I hope this helps.
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Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a somatic psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and neuropsychology.
Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is a medical writer with more than 30 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He writes on a wide range of mental health topics, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, stress, and relationship challenges.
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Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on August 20, 2025
Additional Reading
The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
We are a health technology company that guides people toward self-understanding and connection. The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being.