As someone who identifies with all 8 of the diagnostic criteria for OCPD (yay for being an overachieving perfectionist! 😜) the ones about money/frugality and hoarding initially felt like they were sort of tacked on. They also seem, to me, to be more culturally contextual and ambiguous. After all, what is “money” other than an abstract concept, a modern human construct? And then you see how it scales to generate even more nebulous concepts like “economies” and “capitalism”. And so we find ourselves at a rather unique period in history where these concepts can seem as finite and solid as the ground we stand on.
One of my main goals for this year has been to work on changing how I relate to money. That’s revealed how formative my early childhood experiences and family dynamics have shaped my psychology and conceptualization of money. I’ve had to wrestle with in the impacts of poverty and scarcity mentality and how they’ve been internalized as limiting beliefs, in addition to other contributing factors like imposter syndrome and interpreting frugality as a spiritual virtue.
All that to say, it’s not surprising money has been something I’ve avoided addressing for a large majority of my life. It’s always felt too intangible, too pervasive, and too overwhelming until now. I’m excited to hear how other money has shaped/influenced the experience of others with OCPD!
ChatGPT Response
Prompt: Summarize the relationship between OCPD and money.
Money is a central pillar of the human experience because it intersects with nearly every aspect of modern life: our survival, security, identity, freedom, power, and connection. It serves not just as a medium of exchange, but as a symbol of value, worth, and possibility. The way individuals earn, spend, save, and share money reflects deeper beliefs about what they deserve, what they fear, and what they aspire to. From meeting basic needs like food and shelter to enabling dreams of travel, education, or creative freedom, money becomes a mirror for our inner worlds and social systems. It shapes relationships, influences self-perception, and often becomes a source of both meaning and stress. In this way, money is not just economic—it is emotional, psychological, and profoundly human.
The relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and money is often shaped by the disorder’s core traits: a preoccupation with control, perfectionism, orderliness, and fear of making mistakes. Here’s a summary of how OCPD can influence attitudes and behaviors around money:
1. Overcontrol and Rigidity
People with OCPD often have rigid beliefs about saving, budgeting, and spending. They may view financial decisions through a strict moral lens—seeing certain purchases as “wasteful” or “irresponsible”—regardless of context or personal need. This rigidity can create anxiety around spending, even when it’s necessary or beneficial.
2. Fear of Waste
A hallmark of OCPD is an extreme aversion to waste. This can lead to hoarding money or being overly frugal, sometimes at the expense of quality of life. Spending may trigger guilt or worry, especially if the purchase doesn’t align with internalized standards of utility or value.
3. Need for Certainty and Security
Money can become a symbol of control and safety. People with OCPD may obsessively save or monitor their finances, not out of greed, but from a deep fear of future unpredictability or disaster. This can result in chronic stress about financial planning or a strong desire for financial “perfection.”
4. Perfectionism and Decision Paralysis
Choosing how to spend or invest money can become overwhelming due to the fear of making the “wrong” choice. Financial decisions may be delayed or over-researched, contributing to inefficiency, missed opportunities, or ongoing anxiety.
5. Workaholism and Money as a Measure of Worth
Some individuals with OCPD tie their self-worth to productivity and financial success. This can fuel workaholic tendencies and an excessive focus on earning or accumulating money as a form of proving competence or moral virtue.
In summary, for someone with OCPD, money isn’t just a resource—it often becomes a reflection of control, morality, safety, and identity. Healing often involves building flexibility, self-compassion, and tolerating financial ambiguity.
ChatGPT Practical Exercises:
Here are 5 ways people with OCPD can begin to develop a healthier relationship with money, rooted in flexibility, self-compassion, and values-based living:
1. Practice Values-Based Spending Instead of Rule-Based Saving
Shift the focus from rigid internal rules (“I must save everything” or “Spending is bad”) to personal values.
Ask: “What really matters to me? How can money support that?”
This reframing allows spending to feel purposeful rather than shameful—whether it’s investing in wellness, connection, or creativity.
2. Set “Good Enough” Budgets Instead of Perfect Ones
Perfectionism can lead to obsessive budgeting or decision paralysis. Instead, experiment with budgets that are functional, not flawless.
Try:“This doesn’t have to be exact—just consistent and supportive.”
Accepting some wiggle room builds tolerance for imperfection and reduces compulsive monitoring.
3. Schedule Guilt-Free Spending Rituals
Create small, intentional opportunities to spend without guilt. This could be a weekly or monthly “joy fund” used for something that brings pleasure, ease, or connection.
Over time, this normalizes spending as a healthy, life-enhancing act—not something to fear or avoid.
4. Challenge All-Or-Nothing Thinking About Money
OCPD often comes with black-and-white beliefs like “If I’m not saving a lot, I’m being irresponsible.”
Practice finding middle ground: “I can be responsible and generous with myself.”
Working with a therapist or journaling these internal rules can help uncover and soften rigid money narratives.
5. Link Financial Goals to Emotional and Relational Growth
Rather than treating money as just a security blanket or scoreboard, reflect on how financial choices impact your relationships, mental health, and ability to enjoy life.
Questions to try:“Is this financial habit helping me feel more connected, relaxed, or alive?”
This reorients money as a tool, not a test of morality or control.
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