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Personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder
J Samuels1, G Nestadt, O J Bienvenu
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) relatives show higher rates of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and neuroticism. These traits may indicate a shared familial link with OCD, suggesting a potential spectrum of familial influence.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Limited understanding of personality disorders and dimensions in relatives of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Investigating familial contributions to OCD is crucial for understanding its etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if specific personality characteristics are part of a familial spectrum of OCD.
- To assess personality disorders and dimensions in first-degree relatives of OCD patients.
Main Methods:
- Personality disorders were evaluated in 72 OCD probands, 72 control probands, 198 case relatives, and 207 control relatives.
- The Revised NEO Personality Inventory assessed normal personality dimensions.
- Prevalence and scores were compared between case and control groups.
Main Results:
- OCD probands and their relatives exhibited a higher prevalence of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).
- Elevated neuroticism scores were observed in both OCD probands and their relatives.
- Neuroticism correlated with OCPD specifically in relatives of OCD cases.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism and OCPD may share a common familial origin with OCD.
- These findings suggest a potential familial spectrum linking OCD, OCPD, and neuroticism.