Walking on eggshells: A life defined by obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), which is experienced by 2.1-7.9% of the population, is characterized by an excessive need for orderliness, neatness and perfectionism. WHAT DOES THE PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Existing studies on OCPD commonly focus on the physiological aspects, treatment and/or comparison of features with other disorders. Studies that explore the personal experiences related to OCPD are lacking and so the human element of this condition is missing. This paper contributes to this gap by presenting a glimpse into life with OCPD. The narrative is provided by the daughter of a person who lived with OCPD and presents the ordeals, victories and aspects of everyday life as framed by the condition. Whilst personality disorders such as OCPD are subjected to a high level of stigma, this relative's story shows that love and compassion can be found even in the darkest corridors that OCPD can take one to. As the story shows, behind every disorder there is a human being and the disorder is not the totality of that being. In this view, the paper sheds light on the human element related to the condition. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The paper highlights the need for continuous, hands-on community support to those experiencing OCPD and their significant others. In order to enhance continuity of care, support is ideally centralized and provided by one keyworker who builds a strong therapeutic relationship with the person and their loved ones.