The 3rd type of obsessive-compulsive personality is the Server-Friend, who can become either wonderful companions, or people pleasers who lose their true self. Their suffering is not always seen, but it's real. We look at the stories of two examples, one unbalanced, the other very well balanced. 

Delaying gratification may get you what you want. But used too frequently it can erode the capacity for pleasure, mastery and meaning. And invite suffering. This episode explores what happens when delaying gratification becomes chronic, and we re-wire our brain so that fulfillment is no longer possible. Two stories, one playful, the other painfully serious, illustrate the the dangers of delaying gratification. 

One type of obsessive-compulsive personality, the Worker-Doer, can experience fulfillment or burnout, depending on how well they balance it with other aspects of the compulsive personality. This episodes contains descriptions of the personality type, strengths and weaknesses, stories about it from myth and legend, and suggestions about how to integrate it with other aspects of the personality. 

OCPD is reputed to be resistant to change, yet there is abundant evidence that with help and motivation, many can alter their behavior to live in a more well-adapted and fulfilling way. Key is working with the personality traits and enlisting them in the process of change. 

This is the first of four episodes describing the four different types of obsessive-compulsive personality, and the possible benefits and pitfalls of each. Some obsessive-compulsives are natural leaders, teachers & mentors. But too often these capacities are used as a bully might--hurting rather than helping. 

What is Shame? An inaccurate & debilitating interpretation of our limitations as humans. Trying to avoid it with perfection makes it worse. In this episode we distinguish shame from guilt and and explore how to override it. 

If we aren't open to experience we miss chances to connect, explore, and learn. Quickly rejecting anything "not just right" costs us enriching experiences.  We explore the concepts of Not Just Right Experience, and Openness to Experience as investigated in the Five-Factor Model of personality. 

Demand sensitivity is a lens which distorts our sense of what others want from us. This lens misinterprets the most benign hopes for us as demands, and we sacrifice out own needs to meet what we mistakenly think are the expectations of others. 

In this episode of the The Healthy Compulsive Podcast we explore the relations between ideals, rules and commandments. People with Obsessive-Compulisve Personality may try to remedy insecurity by becoming overly conscientious. They may convert ideals into commandments, and good guidelines become rigid & destructive. 

Understanding whether you have OCPD can be helpful not only in managing your symptoms, but also finding meaning in your personality. It's also helpful to distinguish between obsessive and compulsive, and obsessions and compulsions.