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Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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Clinical Handbook of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a chronic condition that involves a maladaptive pattern of excessive perfectionism, preoccupation with orderliness and details, and the need for control over one’s environment. It is one of the most common personality disorders in the general population, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 2.1 to 7.9 %. Despite the fact that OCPD patients often present for treatment, there is a relative paucity of empirical research on treatments for OCPD, and there is no definitive empirically supported treatment for the condition. This chapter describes the limited treatment research and then focuses in detail on a case report of a male with OCPD who underwent a novel therapeutic intervention which consists of two established cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) modules: CBT for clinical perfectionism/rigidity preceded by skills training in emotion regulation and relationship flexibility. These modules of this 14-week treatment were specifically selected to address core aspects of OCPD that directly impact functioning in these patients. The patient was adherent and highly engaged in the treatment. He showed clinically significant improvement, which was maintained 2 months post treatment. While this pilot offers a promising lead for further study, much more systematic research is needed to further develop treatment of this disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Ambulatory Psychiatry Center, 75-59 263rd Street, 11004, Glen Oaks, NY, USA

    Anthony Pinto PhD

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  1. Anthony Pinto PhD
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Correspondence to Anthony Pinto PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Health Policy & Management, Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, and Psychology, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

    Eric A. Storch

  2. Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Adam B. Lewin

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Pinto, A. (2016). Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. In: Storch, E., Lewin, A. (eds) Clinical Handbook of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17139-5_28

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