1.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE
PERSONALITY DISORDER
BA PSYCHOLOGY - SEMESTER 6 - ST
FRANCIS COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Spoorthi Kalaptapu
Abnormal Psychology

2.
Meaning of Obsessive compulsive personality disorder
Clinical features
Difference between OCD and OCPD
Diagnostic Criteria
Causal Factors
Prevalence Rate
Comorbidity
Intervention
Case Study
Areas to cover-

3.
People with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) tend to be obsessed with controlling their environments; to
satisfy this need for control, they become preoccupied with trivial details, lists, procedures, rules, and schedules. OCPD
individuals present as over-controlled and this characteristic extends to the relationships they have with other people. They
are referential to authority and rules. OCPD individuals may therefore punish those who violate their strict standards. The
inability to accept differences in beliefs or behaviors from others often leads to high conflict and controlling relationships with
coworkers, spouses, and children.They find it hard to express their feelings.
They have difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships with others.
They often feel righteous, indignant, and angry.
They often face social isolation.
They can experience anxiety that occurs with depression.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a Cluster-C personality disorder that’s characterized by extreme
perfectionism, order, and neatness. People with the condition have an excessive need to follow rules and regulations, as well as a
moral and ethical code from which they will not deviate. In other words, they think that they are always right.
What is OCPD?

4.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER
(OCPD) VS OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
1.OCD is an anxiety disorder that have
obsessions and compulsions.
2.People with OCD know they need
help and will usually want treatment.
3.With OCD, the thoughts, beliefs and
behaviours (obsessions and
compulsions) are because of feared
consequences that feel very real.
1.OCPD is a personality disorder that
may be excessively focused on order and
perfection.
2.People with OCPD typically believe
they don’t require treatment.
3.With OCPD, the problem is much
more about rigidity around rules rather
than perceived consequences.
OCD and OCPD may overlap in terms of similar thought patterns and behaviors involving order,
perfectionism, and organization. However, much of the difference is based around how much insight
the person suffering has.

5.
Unwillingness
to delegate
Excessive
fixation with
list-making
Perfectionism
Strict
following of
their Moral
ethical codes
Ungenerous
Hoarding
behaviour
A person does not have to demonstrate all of
these signs for a doctor to diagnose them with
OCPD.
However, a person with OCPD will usually have
some of these behaviors, and their symptoms will
often impair their social life, career, and family
relationships.
People with OCPD can be extremely difficult to
work with or have a relationship with because
they typically only see things their way. They
believe that their approaches are the best way and
cannot usually understand another person’s point
of view
.
These personality traits make it difficult for a
person to recognize that they have a problem.
Instead, they often feel and may vocalize that if
others followed their rules, everything in their life
would be fine.
CLINICAL FEATURES

6.
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 as indicated by four (or more) of the
following:
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA (DSM V)
Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or
schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost.
Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion
Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of
leisure activities and friendships. (not accounted for by obvious
economic necessity).
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2.
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4. Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of
morality, ethics, or values. (not accounted for by cultural or religious
identification).
5. Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have
no sentimental value.
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 both self
and others; money is viewed as something to be
hoarded for future catastrophes.
8. Shows rigidity and stubbornness.

8.
CAUSAL
FACTORS
OF OCPD
• GENETICS: Researchers are beginning to identify some possible genetic factors behind Obcessive
compulsive personality disorder.
a.) One team, for instance, has identified a malfunctioning gene that may be a factor in obsessive-
compulsive disorder.
b.) Other researchers are exploring genetic links to aggression, anxiety and fear — traits that can play a
role in personality disorders.
• CHILDHOOD TRAUMA: Findings from one of the largest studies of personality disorders, the
Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study, offer clues about the role of childhood
experiences.
. One study found a link between the number and type of childhood traumas and the development
of personality disorders. People with any personality disorder, were victims of high rates of
childhood sexual trauma.
• VERBAL ABUSE: Even verbal abuse can have an impact. In a study of 793 mothers and children,
researchers asked mothers if they had screamed at their children, told them they didn’t love them or
threatened to send them away. Children who had experienced such verbal abuse were three times as
likely as other children to have borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive or paranoid
personality disorders in adulthood.

9.
CULTURAL CAUSES: Highly authoritarian and rule-driven cultures are believed to be
contributory causes of OCPD. Excessive devotion to work, limited expression of emotions in
relationships, and rigorous adherence to moral ethics can play an important role in the
development of obsessive compulsive personality disorder. However, OCPD is usually
diagnosed in such people only when it is clear that the person’s attention to rules, order, and
rigidity is excessive in compared to other people belonging to the same culture.
FAULTY PARENTING: Early life experiences are considered to be important reasons
behind the development of obsessive compulsive personality disorders. Recent studies have
indicated that there are two important factors for the healthy emotional development of the
child. The first factor is how warm the parents are towards the child and the second is how
responsive they are towards the needs of the child. These two are considered to be essential
factors in making the child feel secure and appreciated.
•HIGH REACTIVITY: Sensitivity to light, noise, texture and other stimuli may also play a role
Overly sensitive children, who have what researchers call “high reactivity,” are more likely to
develop shy, timid or anxious personalities. However, high reactivity’s role is still far from clear-
cut. Twenty percent of infants are highly reactive, but less than 10 percent go on to develop social
phobias.

10.
In a study conducted by Koutoufa, I., & Furnham, A. in 2014 namely Psychiatric literacy: Lay beliefs
of obsessive–compulsive personality disorder they observerd these following as the most frerquent
causal factors of Obcessive Compulsive Personality Disorder,
Causes
1 OCPD is hereditary and therefore genetic.
2. Anxiety and stress can cause OCPD.
3. Depression can cause OCPD.
4. OCPD can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain.
5. OCPD can be caused by parenting styles (overprotection and excessive control).
6. OCPD can be caused by a brain dysfunction.
7. The onset of OCPD can occur from early childhood.
8. OCPD can be caused by purely environmental / social factors.
9. OCPD can be caused by distorted cognitions (irrational thoughts).
10. OCPD can be caused by learning obsessive behaviour from parents.
11. OCPD is a defence mechanism and can therefore be caused by repressed emotions.
12. OCPD can be caused by a disruption in the sexual development.
13. OCPD can be caused by an inability to adapt one’s constructs to new information

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COMORBIDITY
A diagnosis of OCPD is common with
anxiety disorders, substance use disorders,
and mood disorders. OCPD is also highly
comorbid with Cluster A personality
disorders, especially paranoid and
schizotypal personality disorders. OCPD
has also been linked to a higher relapse in
those who are treated for major depressive
disorder, and a higher risk of suicidal
behavior. OCPD is also linked to
hypochondriasis, with some studies
estimating a rate of co-occurrence as high
as 55.7%. In people with eating disorders,
13% also have OCPD.

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PREVALENCE
Estimates for the prevalence of OCPD in
the general population range from 3% to
8%, making it the most common
personality disorder.
Some studies show no gender differences,
but others show OCPD more prevalent
among men.
It is estimated to occur in 8.7% of
psychiatric outpatient settings.
Obsessive-compulsive personality
disorder is most common among adult
populations

13.
INTERVENTION
Cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT)
It is a common type of mental
health counselling. During
CBT, you meet with a mental
health professional on a
structured schedule. These
regular sessions involve
working with your counsellor
to talk through any anxiety,
stress, or depression.
Relaxation training
It involves specific breathing
and relaxation techniques
that can help decrease your
sense of stress and urgency.
These symptoms are common
in OCPD. Examples of
recommended relaxation
practices include yoga, tai chi,
and Pilates.
Medication
Selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) may be
prescribed to decrease some
anxiety surrounding the
obsessive-compulsive cycle.
People who are prescribed an
SSRI may also benefit from
support groups and regular
treatment from a psychiatrist.

14.
Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT):
MIT involves two goals. One goal is to improve the client's
understanding of their own mental state. The therapist helps
identify unused emotions and facilitates the learning of their use.
The second goal is to regulate troublesome attitudes and
behaviors, especially those that involve interpersonal cycles, and
develop helpful ones.
Psychodynamic Therapy:
The psychodynamic approach is modified to apply structure to
free association and introspection. Goals related to character
change are established and the therapist and client work
toward those goals. Psychodynamic therapy that is structured
and goal-oriented helps reduce the impairments of OCPD in
in-patient, out-patient, and day hospital care settings.

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CASE STUDY
Mark is a 42-year-old, single male who lives with his parents.
He has been unemployed for some time because he has had
difficulty maintaining employment. Most recently, he was not
able to meet production demands at his factory job because he
got consumed with making each package perfect before moving
on to the next package. One weekend, when his family planned
to visit the grandparents, Mark started packing on Wednesday
afternoon but did not finish the packing until Saturday, when it
was too late to go. Mark’s employment and personal
relationships are impacted by his rigidity and extreme attention
to detail. Mark was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder.
In therapy, Mark was very punctual in treatment and never
missed a session; he talked freely and in great detail. The initial
part of therapy mainly dealt with family relationships. When
the time came to leave the sessions, he would often continue
talking and delaying even when the therapist was standing at
the door.

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