Relations between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and personality: beyond Axis I-Axis II comorbidity

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Personality Disorders

Background:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) research often focuses on comorbidity with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
• Limited research explores dimensional personality traits in OCD patients compared to other clinical and non-clinical groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the empirical relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
• To examine dimensional personality trait patterns in individuals with OCD compared to students and general outpatients.

Main Methods:

• Empirical investigation of OCD-OCPD relations.
• Comparative analysis of dimensional personality traits across OCD patients, students, and general outpatients.

Main Results:

• No specific relationship was found between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
• OCD patients displayed elevated negative affectivity and lower positive affectivity compared to general patients.
• Distinct personality traits in OCD patients included lower manipulativeness, mistrust, and disinhibition.
• OCD patients showed a very low self-image, characterized by low self-esteem and entitlement.

Conclusions:

• The findings do not support a specific link between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
• OCD patients exhibit a unique personality pathology profile, differing from general outpatients.
• The specific trait pattern in OCD suggests a more defined presentation of personality pathology than seen in broader patient groups.