Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often talked about in today’s society, but most sufferers will not come forward for help. This article summarises the basics about OCD and the treatment options.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Clients with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder are preoccupied with perfectionism and orderliness. Unlike Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), clients are not aware that their behaviour is problematic. Although the majority of patients with this personality disorder do not have any obsessions or compulsions, some may eventually go on to develop OCD.
Those with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder place emphasis on perfectionism above anything else and become anxious when things are not “just right”. This can affect not only their jobs, but also place strain on friends, partners and children. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is a fairly common condition, which is more commonly diagnosed in men than women. It is believed that the condition runs in families. A method which can be used to remember some of the diagnostic criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is ‘Law Firms’:
L - Loses point of activity (due to preoccupation with detail)
A - Ability to complete tasks (compromised by perfectionism)
W - Worthless objects (unable to discard)
F - Friendships and leisure activities excluded
I - Inflexible, scrupulous
R - Reluctant to delegate (unless others submit to exact guidelines)
M - Miserly (toward self and others)
S - Stubbornness (and rigidity)
Treatment Options
Clients with obsessive compulsive personality disorder usually do not present themselves for treatment until a specific issue in their life has become too difficult for them to manage on their own. A client’s coping skills may be limited due to the nature of their disorder. Although these skills may be effective enough to cope with the majority of stresses and emotional difficulties, during timesof increased pressure these skills may not be enough, making the disorder more evident.
Treatment for obsessive compulsive personality disorder is usually a short-term therapy for symptom relief and to develop existing coping mechanisms, as well as to teach new ones. Long-term treatment is not usually an option as it is above the majority of therapist’s skill level and the budgets of most patients. Short-term therapy is likely to be beneficial when the client’s existing support system and coping skills are examined in more detail. Social relationships should also be examined, in which the client and therapist build on reinforcing strong and positive relationships and also re-examining negative or harmful relationships. The therapist may give the client some homework which may include the client writing down their feelings as they notice them. Encouraging the client to properly identify and realise their feelings can bring about a significant change.
Clients who are suffering from obsessive compulsive personality disorder are often out of touch with their emotional states as much as their thoughts. It may be beneficial for the client to move away from purely describing situations, to instead explaining how particular situations made them feel. Although some clients may claim that they cannot remember how a particular situation made them feel, at this point it becomes apparent as to how useful the homework in which the client is required to write down their feelings may be useful.
Therapy for those with obsessive compulsive personality disorder is likely to be effective when it is focused on short-term difficulties that the client is currently experiencing. It is often less effective when the main aim of therapy is complex, long-term personality change. Although a group therapy treatment may be a beneficial treatment option, the majority of clients may not be able to withstand the minimum social contact necessary to gain a healthy group dynamic. Further problems may arise when other members of the group criticise the client for picking out other people’s “faults”.
Hospitalisation
It is rare that a client with obsessive compulsive personality disorder will require hospitalisation, unless there is an extremely stressful situation currently being experienced by the client, which increased their compulsive behaviours to a point in which daily activities are affected. Hospitalisation may further be necessary when the obsessive thoughts they have do not allow the client to conduct basic activities.
Medications
As with the majority of personality disorders, medication is not usually prescribed unless there is an additional Axis I diagnosis. However, medications such as Prozac and other SRRI’s have been approved as a method of treating obsessive compulsive personality disorder and may provide some symptom relief. It has been found however, that long-term use is neither appropriate nor beneficial.
This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study. If you want to find out more about Working With A Diagnosis Of Personality Disorders or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: http://www.start-learning.co.uk
A good way to find out more about Working With A Diagnosis Of Personality Disorders is to sign up for a distance learning course on the subject. By studying in your free time and pace, you can gain the necessary knowledge while tailoring it to suit your schedule.
Kerrana McAvoy
Academic Director – Start Learning
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