What is the preferred therapy for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

For individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), psychotherapy is generally regarded as the preferred treatment approach. Specifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be particularly beneficial, focusing on helping patients challenge and change their perfectionistic beliefs and rigid thought patterns that contribute to their symptoms.

Psychotherapy allows for a deeper exploration of the underlying issues associated with OCPD, such as anxiety around control, and helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and interpersonal skills. This therapeutic relationship provides a safe space for patients to process their experiences and acquire new perspectives on their behaviors and interactions with others.

While medications can be helpful in managing certain symptoms (especially if there's overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression), they are not the primary treatment modality for OCPD. Moreover, group therapy can also be beneficial but is often not the first line of treatment, as it may not address the individual complexities of the disorder in the same way that individual psychotherapy does. Therefore, psychotherapy stands out as the most effective and comprehensive approach for treating OCPD.