2023 Respond by providing one alternative therapeutic approach Explain why you suggest this alternative and support your

 Respond  by providing one alternative therapeutic approach. Explain  why you suggest this alternative and support your suggestion with  evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients. 

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Obsessive-compulsive  disorder is one of the personality disorders under the DSM-5 framework.  An individual with this type of disorder tends to exhibit an insistent  need for order and perfectionism.  They avoid social situations, lack  healthy social skills, struggle to maintain emotions such as anger, are  rigid in expressing their emotions, and also progress towards being  depressed and anxious. This tends to trickle down to their daily living  habits. For instance, one can be found to hoard items that are  unnecessary in their home. This disorder is common, and most people are  not aware they have this type of diagnosis.

   Treating  OCPD involves both therapeutic methods and the administration of  psychotropic medications.  One of the effective approaches is Cognitive  Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is the general method used by most mental  health professionals to treat mental illness.  This type of treatment  must promote the rehabilitation and development of social niches  relevant to the personality profile of the patient (Paris, 2004). The  approach requires helping the patient to have a healthy view of feelings  and behaviors towards perfectionism as well as their rigid view of  relationships. This, in turn, helps the patient adopt healthy and  positive behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes as well as coping  mechanisms. As it is a complex condition, it also requires the  integration of psychotropic medications such as stimulants,  antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines.  This highlights how much is  invested in managing and treating mental illness. Dixon-Gordon et al.  (2011) reiterate by highlighting on the assessment of 33 RCTs of which  only five RCTs evaluated the efficacy of treatments for Cluster C  personality disorders, and there were no RCTs for Cluster A personality  disorders for testing efficacy of treatment.

   When  communicating the diagnosis to an OCPD patient, the therapist needs to  adopt an agreeable and nonjudgmental attitude. I would give my patient  sufficient time to process the information and to ask much as they want  regarding the nature of the condition and would as well seek my  patient’s perception of the condition. I would ensure that I thoroughly  take my patient through every aspect associated with the condition,  including stigma. This is because such a patient always believes to be  right. Thus, when reporting their diagnosis, it is important to be armed  with the research and evidence they have about the condition. This will  help them accept the diagnosis and the various treatment options for  OCD and settle on the treatment option of their preference. The  therapist also needs to give them the freedom as well as guide in  choosing the best treatment plan because such a patient tends to  overanalyze and thus struggles to decide. At this point, it is essential  to prevent premature termination through therapist judgment which helps  the therapist to establish the effectiveness of the therapy goals and  the completion of the therapy process (Swift & Greenberg, 2015).

                                               References

Dixon-Gordon,  K. L., Turner, B. J., & Chapman, A. L. (2011). Psychotherapy for  personality disorders. International Review of Psychiatry, 23(3),  282-302. DOI:10.3109/09540261.2011.586992

Paris,  J. (2004). Personality disorders over time: implications for  psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 58(4), 420-429.

Swift,  J.K., & Greenberg, R.P. (2015). What is premature termination in  psychotherapy: Strategies for engaging clients and improving outcomes  (pp. 11–31). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.  DOI:10.1037/14469-002