Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Treatment

What Is Anankastic (Obsessive-Compulsive) Personality Disorder?

Anankastic personality disorder is characterized by excessive orderliness, perfectionism, and rigidity. It is also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCPD). Individuals with OCPD are often preoccupied and governed by self-imposed lists, rules, and schedules.

Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Anankastic personality disorder symptoms often begin in early adulthood and can include:

• Excessive devotion to work and productivity.
• Perfectionism and hyperfocus that often interferes with task completion.
• Rigidity and stubbornness in their beliefs and way of doing things.
• Unwillingness to compromise.
• Difficulty with delegating tasks.
• Extreme difficulty coping with criticism.

What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

Genetic Factors

• A biological family member with depression or a personality or anxiety disorder.
• Researchers have discovered that a particular gene mutation may also increase your risk.

Environmental Factors

If you experienced one or more of the following during childhood, you have an increased risk of developing anankastic personality disorder:

• Overly strict or controlling parents.
• Hyperfocus on tidiness and perfectionism.
• Exposure to extreme stress or trauma (e.g., loss of loved one, neglect, abuse of any kind, divorce, etc.).
• Imbalanced gut microbiome.
• Bacterial infections that cause strep throat.

Biological Factors

• Hyperactivity in areas of the brain that impact decision-making.
• Imbalanced brain chemicals (e.g., serotonin and dopamine) may contribute to compulsive behaviors.
• Structural differences in areas of the brain that control impulse control and emotional regulation.

Psychological Factors

• Intense fear of failure or making mistakes.
• Difficulty expressing emotions.
• Excessive need for order and structure.

How Is Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Diagnosed?

Clinical Interviews

A structured clinical interview can identify patterns consistent with OCPD (e.g., excessive orderliness, perfectionism, rigidity, and a strong need for control). At Beach House Center for Recovery, our licensed therapists ask detailed questions about your daily routine, work habits, decision-making process, and relationships to determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for OCPD.

Diagnostic Criteria

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), there are eight criteria for OCPD, and four must be present to receive a formal diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. They are:

• A persistent preoccupation with details.
• Perfectionism that interferes with task completion.
• Rigidity and stubbornness.
• Reluctance to delegate tasks.
• Excessive concern with minor details and rules.
• Workaholic behaviors.
• Excessive desire to save money.
• Inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects.

Questionnaires and Self-Assessment Tools

At Beach House Center for Recovery, our licensed clinicians and psychiatric providers use a range of assessments and tests to evaluate the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder traits and potential diagnoses. These may include:

• Pathological Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Scale (POPS; Pinto, 2020)
• Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale – Self-Report (Y-BOCS-SR)
• Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS)
• Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4)
• Compulsive Personality Assessment Scale (CPAS)

OCPD Treatment Options

Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment that helps you challenge intrusive thoughts and create more balance, moderation, and flexibility in your thinking and behavior.

During individual therapy sessions, a licensed therapist will guide you through techniques like mindfulness and relaxation to help reduce your sense of urgency when completing tasks. You’ll also learn healthier coping strategies to help manage the discomfort that can come with changes in routines and behaviors.

Group Therapy

Group therapy for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder provides a supportive setting where you can share experiences and learn coping strategies from others facing similar challenges. These guided sessions help reduce isolation and increase understanding, allowing you to confront and manage your symptoms in a safe, encouraging environment.

Family Therapy

Guided family therapy sessions allow family members and loved ones to understand the impact of OCPD on their relationships and learn supportive strategies to help you heal and recover. It is also a unique opportunity to address any unhealthy family dynamics that could be contributing to your symptoms.

Medication

There are no medications that specifically treat personality disorders.

However, antidepressants, antianxiety, anticonvulsants, and mood stabilizing medications may help manage your symptoms. Your Beach House Center for Recovery therapist will prescribe medicines based on your unique needs, symptoms, and severity.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you or your loved one is experiencing distressing or disruptive symptoms, talk to a licensed therapist at Beach House Center for Recovery about our evidence-based anankastic personality disorder treatments.

We can help you unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors and learn how to adopt healthier thinking patterns and habits.

Get Personalized Care for OCPD at Beach House Center for Recovery

At Beach House Center for Recovery, we provide compassionate mental health and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder treatment to ensure you get the exact care you need.

Our skilled team is ready to help you manage your personality disorder symptoms and support any co-occurring conditions. Contact our caring admissions counselors for more information and to start your recovery journey.