Life with obsessive compulsive disorder

Personality disorders represent a class of mental health conditions characterised by enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate markedly from cultural norms.

It is manifest in at least two of the following areas: cognition, affectivity, interpersonal relationships and impulse control.

It is enduring, usually manifesting first in late adolescence or early adulthood, but can be recognised earlier and continues through life.

Personality disorders represent enduring patterns of cognition and behaviour that are resistant to change. These behaviors interfere with the person’s ability to adapt to situations, hence affecting the ones ability to interact in typical social ways.

The behaviors and subjective experiences may lead to difficulties in interpersonal interactions and everyday functioning. This is due to lack of insight into the destructive nature of one’s actions toward oneself or others.

One of the most prevalent personality disorders is the Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).

It is estimated that 2.1 to 7.9 per cent of people in the general population suffer from this condition, according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fifth edition.

OCPD, is a mental health condition characterised by an enduring concern with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Individuals with OCPD often exhibit rigid behaviors and thought patterns that interfere with their ability to function effectively in daily life.

Due to this perfectionism, people with OCPD have unrealistically high standards that may interfere with task completion, resulting in procrastination or inability to delegate responsibilities to others.

They exhibit an excessive need to control oneself, others, and situations. A preoccupation with rules, details, and schedules resulting in rigidity and inability to adapt to change.

They may not be able to compromise or see another’s perspective leading to lack of flexibility. They resist to changes in routine or scheduling and become angry or frustrated if plans change.

Persons with OCPD may become emotionally withdrawn when they are not in control of a situation. They may focus on work and tasks rather than relationships and be stingy and ungenerative leading to emotional detachment.

The prevalence of this condition has been noted to be more in men than in women, with individuals with pre-existing anxiety, and substance use disorder more affected.

Treatment approaches for this conditions involves the use of psychotherapy and some may require medication.

One the most effective therapy techniques is cognitive behavior therapy aimed at identifying and restructuring dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors associated with perfectionism and control.

Approaches may include cognitive restructuring and exposure to situations that provoke anxiety related to control and perfectionism.

Psychodynamic approach has been applied to help individuals explore unconscious beliefs and past experiences that influence current thought patterns and behavior.

It encourages self-reflection and understanding of the underlying motives leading to perfection and control, while techniques like schema therapy helps one identify and change deeply ingrained patterns of thinking that lead to maladaptive behavior.

In summary a tailored approach that combines the use of multiple therapy techniques and medication as needed offers the best outcome.

- The writer is a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist clinical officer and lecturer KMTC Meru Campus