Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Treatment

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Psychotherapy
• Hospitalization
• Medications
• Self-Help

Introduction

Individuals who suffer from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) often are characterized by their lack of openness and flexibility in not only their daily routines, but also with interpersonal relationships and expectations. The overwhelming preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism and control of their lives and relationships means that most types of treatment are going to be, at best, difficult. Treatment options which do not fit within the client's cognitive schema will likely be quickly rejected rather than attempted.

Individuals who suffer from this disorder have difficulty in incorporating new and changing information into their lives, so new learning takes place only over a great deal of time and with as much effort on both the clinician's and client's part. Their ability to work with others is equally affected, since they see the world as black and white -- their way of doing things and the wrong way of doing things. Naturally, this faulty logic will also be translated into their therapeutic relationship with the clinician and their treatment. It is therefore unlikely the clinician will have much success in using techniques or treatment modalities which haven't first been approved by the patient for use. Sometimes this may be done simply by stating the effectiveness of a given treatment for a specific problem, citing relevant research studies. More often, though, this technique won't be effective.

When obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is combined with the presentation of a medical illness, physicians should expect a logical and coherent presentation of troubling symptoms with little emotionality attached to their physical discomfort. Treatment is most effective when the nature of the disease process is first discussed with the individual, as well as typical and accepted treatments. A physician in this instance is best sticking with the facts of the presenting problem and underlying disorder rather than offering vague impressions of their opinion. Since the individual with this disorder tends to be meticulous and concerned with details, the treatment regimen --once accepted -- will likely be adhered to rigorously, without incident.

Psychotherapy

As with most personality disorders, individuals seek treatment for items in their life which have become overwhelming to their existing coping skills. These skills may be somewhat limited, in the first place, because of their disorder. While they may be generally effective enough in most instances to shield the client from stress and emotional difficulties, during times of increased stress, work pressure, family problems, etc. the underlying disorder will become more evident in day-to-day behaviors.

As with most personality disorders, treatment is often focused on short-term symptom relief and the support of existing coping mechanisms while teaching new ones. Long-term or substantive work on personality change is usually beyond most clinician's skill levels, and patient's budgets. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is especially resistant to such changes, because of the basic makeup of this disorder.

continue: More on Therapy, Medications, Treatment for OCPD

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Reviewed: 04/2006