COMPARISON: Obsessive-compulsive disorder vs BPD

[BPDFamily.com]

I know people have written a lot here about BPD comorbidity with things like Narcissistic and Histrionic Disorders.  I now wonder the same thing about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder... .is it just what I've seen, or does this seem like another likely candidate for at least some BPDs... .?

I think about how a BPD lacks object constancy, and what then often happens (but maybe in not all cases) is an obsession with "checking" on quite a frequent basis to verify that you're "there".  e.g., calling you at work, checking on you when all you've done is go upstairs in your own house (!) and even calling you out for the sin of reading a paper or magazine when you're in the same room (because, of course, you may be physically "there" but not _really "there"... .)  

I may be using hindsight reasoning to make this observation, but still the consistency with at least OCD behavior is hard to ignore.  Checking checking checking checking... .drives you nuts !  (And yes I've seen evidence of other OCD traits - checking on lights, worrying about leaving the oven on, etc. - at least in my BP to suspect that some level of comorbidity might be present there.)

[John Z]

I know people have written a lot here about BPD comorbidity with things like Narcissistic and Histrionic Disorders.  I now wonder the same thing about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder... .is it just what I've seen, or does this seem like another likely candidate for at least some BPDs... .?

I think about how a BPD lacks object constancy, and what then often happens (but maybe in not all cases) is an obsession with "checking" on quite a frequent basis to verify that you're "there".  e.g., calling you at work, checking on you when all you've done is go upstairs in your own house (!) and even calling you out for the sin of reading a paper or magazine when you're in the same room (because, of course, you may be physically "there" but not _really "there"... .)  

I may be using hindsight reasoning to make this observation, but still the consistency with at least OCD behavior is hard to ignore.  Checking checking checking checking... .drives you nuts !  (And yes I've seen evidence of other OCD traits - checking on lights, worrying about leaving the oven on, etc. - at least in my BP to suspect that some level of comorbidity might be present there.)

[done]

tp said mine has ocd. But his comes in the form of wanting things to be done right away When we where there she asked him about work. He says he gets up 2:46 he would say things to the second. ANd over the years say a bill came to 2.47 I would say the bill was around 2.50 he would get upset with me that I did not say it exactly

The other day I was working with a relative and asked me to go get something. I ran to get it. I come back he goes why did you run you did not have to run and get it. Well my dh when he would ask for something and I would walk real fast he would constently be telling me to hurry up. So I ended up running for things. After the relative told me that I stopped to think , Here agian was his influence on me.

The other thing with him is when you are working together. He will be doing something and your there All of a sudden he would start to get upset and say just don't stand there. Then when you ask what he wants  you to do even gets even more upset . Then  the verbal abuse starts stop being stupid get your head in the game. He expects you to now what he is thinking .

[BPDFamily]

DIFFERENCES|COMORBIDITY: Overview of Comorbidity

Additional discussions... .

Personality Disorders

Borderline and Paranoid Personality Disorder

Borderline and Schzoid/Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Borderline and Antisocial Personality Disorder

Borderline and Histrionic Personality Disorder

Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Borderline and Avoidant Personality Disorder

Borderline and Dependent Personality Disorder

Borderline and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Borderline and Depressive Personality Disorder

Borderline and Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder

Borderline and Sadistic Personality Disorder

Borderline and Self Defeating Personality Disorder

Other

Borderline PD and Alcohol Dependence

Borderline PD and Aspergers

Borderline PD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Borderline PD and BiPolar Disorder

Borderline PD and Dissociative Identity Disorder

Borderline PD and P.T.S.D.

Borderline PD and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

[twister329]

I have OCD and my mother has BPD. As far as differences go, whenever I feel anxious (especially when my mother is yelling with me) I tend to do my daily routine just to make myself feel better (temporarily). I have found that now even when she's not yelling at me, I have started to do my daily routines. It is starting to affect the other things I do. But people with BPD try to make themselves feel better not with routines, but by raging and devaluating others for their own self interest.

There are different routines for different people with OCD. For now, mine only affects my life and what I do. However, it can spread and affect other people around you (like 'done' stated) to an extent. For example, one day I was waiting for the bus and a sudden feeling of anxiety washed over me. My routine is sort of a 'prayer' if you can call it that. I stop everything I do and reassure myself with the exact words and phrases that everything is going to be all right. I notice some people asked me some questions (some street newspaper sellers), but I completely ignored them to finish my routine. Next thing I know, my bus has arrived and left because I had to stop and think about that. So there I am waiting another 30 minutes for the next bus. That is just one of my routines. Now imagine if I had to go to work that day, I would be late.

It starts off simple, then it expands more and more. As far as similarities go between the two, I personally think both disorders have a feeling of insecurity, but they just express it differently than one another. BPD expresses it by feeling misunderstood from everyone around them whereas someone with OCD just does their routine to get over the feeling of anxiety.

As far as ways to get treatment I think from what I've seen, someone with BPD first has to realize they have a problem. They are completely clueless that what they're doing is hurting others. That's the first step to recovery. OCD is more of trying to preoccupy your mind from getting anxious because that feeling of 'checking, checking checking... .' grows stronger in the back of your mind until you start doing it.

[chaann]

My dBPsil has been diagnosed with both. First with OCD,  years ago (along with Anorexia nervosa) and 10 years later now BP. Since we have always seen her with the 2 PD together they seem to go hand in hand with the other... .so hard to distinguish sometimes. 

Ex: This morning she calls at 7:57am (goes to voicemail because i am sleeping and she knows that.) She calls again at 8:03am on my cell and finally at 8:07am on my home phone but does not leave a message. 

She is obviously in one of her crisis. 

Is she calling multiple times because of her fear of abandonment (BPD) or is she calling back because of her obsession that she needs to talk to me now? (OCD)



Sometimes, the OCD is really obvious when she starts freaking out about crumbs left on the counter by my poor brother or things out of place, but sometimes it just infiltrates the BPD so well, it is really hard to distinguish.

[tailspin]

Hi!

My ex's OCD was odd... .he would always clear his throat 5 times in a row when he called me on the phone; this was often done multiple times during the same phone conversation, and he was completely unaware of doing this.  He was also scared of the number 3 and multiples of 3; he couldn't watch those stations on the tv and couldn't have the room temperature set to any associated numbers.  During meals he had to have things placed in a certain spot and would even move my glass/fork/etc if it didn't suite him.  The strangest of all was he had about 20 pairs of old shoes lined up against one of his living room walls. I think the number of shoes was meaningful to him in some way.

Now I understand these are OCD behaviors; at the time I really had no clue.  I'm sure the anxiety associated with OCD only exacerbated his borderline personality and his OCD became more pronounced towards the end of our time together.  It really must be a strange life for him and he often described things as being weird. 

I can only imagine.

tailspin