Low novelty-seeking differentiates obsessive-compulsive disorder from major depression

To make a direct comparison of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depression (MD) and a normal control group in terms of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality dimensions.

Additionally to 43 patients with primary OCD, 43 MD patients and 43 normal subjects who were matched against the OCD patients for sex and age filled out the TCI.

Compared to the controls, the OCD and MD patients scored significantly higher on harm avoidance and significantly lower on self-directedness and co-operativeness. The OCD patients scored significantly lower on novelty-seeking than the MD patients and the controls.

Whereas OCD and MD share similar personality deviations on harm avoidance, self-directedness and co-operativeness, OCD is distinguishable from MD in terms of low novelty-seeking. Low novelty-seeking may have a profound relationship to the specific aetiology of OCD.