Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is persistence, obstinacy, love of order and emotional narrowing. Man is constantly striving for excellence, and flexibility and determination are not inherent in him. Obsession is a phenomenon related to feelings, thoughts and ideas. This behavior is deliberate and is regularly repeated, i.e. the patient himself understands the inadequacy of his obsession. A similar phenomenon is observed in 0.05% of the total population. Moreover, human intelligence is usually above average. The disease is inherent in most men than women, the diagnosis is made in older children. The cause of the disease lies in strict discipline.
According to studies, it was found that patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder had a birth injury. Some diagnostics made it possible to determine that patients have pathologies similar to those that are present in depression. In some cases, an increase in the ventricles of the brain is observed. The disease can be inherited with a frequency of not more than 7%. Described in more detail the defense mechanisms of Sigmund Freud. These mechanisms are as follows: isolation, liquidation, and reactive formation.
Isolation protects a person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder from anxiety impulses and affect states. In the case when the protective mechanism of isolation works adequately, affects and impulses are suppressed, and the patient fully perceives this or that thought. However, there is a constant danger that impulse and affects can bypass the isolation mechanism. For this, the following mechanism stands in their way – liquidation. It is required in order to remove the alarm. A reactive formation is a manifestation of behavior and experienced attitudes opposite to impulses.
Individuals suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder are completely absorbed in laws, neatness, order, perfection, and compliance with the rules. Patients are completely deprived of a sense of humor, they are prone to formalities and are very serious. A person with such a disease is deprived of tolerance. However, it is precisely such people who are more capable than others of routine and lengthy work, which does not imply any innovation. They cannot adapt to changes, are not inclined to compromises and tend to move away from others. People who are in close proximity to them must also strictly follow the rules and laws established by patients.
These people are extremely indecisive, because constantly afraid to make an irreparable mistake. They think for a long time before making this or that decision. If something threatens their habitual way of life, then they become anxious, because their whole life is the performance of certain rituals that they seek to impose on others. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are always serious. Their affect is extremely narrowed. If they do not control the interlocutor, then this plunges them into a state of anxiety. They strive to answer all questions as detailed and meticulous as possible. Compulsions periodically develop – a psychological state in which a person feels compelled to do one or another, as well as obsessions – the so-called fix ideas, obsessive states associated with thoughts, feelings and desires. Such conditions develop periodically, but they last quite a long time and cannot be controlled.
As a treatment, clomipramine is the most effective drug. It works best on patients who are prone to specific compulsions. In some cases, other drugs are prescribed that help during panic attacks. The treatment is long, sometimes 6–20 months. Interruption of treatment contributes to the manifestation of relapse. In addition to drug treatment, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are shown psychotherapy aimed at developing criticism.