Download Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder
By: Katherine Lopez
Definition
A condition in which a person is preoccupied with
rules, orderliness and control.
It means a person becomes preoccupied with
uncontrollable patterns of thought and behavior.
Associated Features
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Often have a negative outlook on life.
Feels in charge and the only one who knows what
is right.
Spends considerable time putting everything in
precisely the right place in precisely the right
manner.
Associated Features
DSM-IV-TR Criteria
A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness,
perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal
control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and
efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and
present in a variety of contexts as indicated by four
(or more) of the following:
1. Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order,
organization, or schedules to the extent that the
major point of the activity is lost.
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Associated Features
2.) Shows perfectionism that interferes with task
completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project
because his or her own overly strict standards are
not met)
3. Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to
the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships.
4. Is over conscientious, scrupulous, and flexible
about matters of morality, ethics, or values.
5. Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects
even when they have no sentimental value.
Associated Features
6. Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others
unless they submit to exactly his or her way of
doing things.
7. Adopts a miserly spending style toward self and
others; money is viewed as something to be
hoarded for future catastrophes
8. Shows rigidity and stubbornness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9SiiIe1pds
Etiology

Researchers today don’t know what causes
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. There
are many theories however some causes may be
genetic factors, social factors or psychological
factors.
Prevalence
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is more
common in men than it is in women.
Treatment
Some treatment for this
disorder is long-term
psychotherapy with a
therapist that has
experience in treating
this kind of personality
disorder. Medications
may also be
prescribed.
Prognosis
The outlook for people with OCPD tends to be
better than any other personality disorder because
the self-imposed rigidness and control of OCPD
may prevent many of the complications such as
drug abuse, which are common in the other
personality disorders.
However, the social isolation common with this
illness may lead to feelings of depression later in
life.
References
Halgin, Rp., & Whitebourne, Sk (2005). Abnormal
psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological
disorders. New York, NY: Mc Grawhill.
Psych Central Staff. (2011). Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder. Retrieved from
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx26.htm
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. (2008,
October 17) The New York Times. Retrieved from
Times Health Guide.
Discussion Question
How can we tell if someone has
Obsessive-compulsive personality
disorder or if they just like to be
organized?