This continuing education manual delivers an integrative synthesis of clinical and empirical literature focused on the rare comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). It highlights conceptual foundations, phenomenological tensions, pharmacotherapy challenges, psychological mechanisms linking incarceration to symptom exacerbation, and clinical implications for treatment adherence and therapeutic alliance. Using a detailed 18-week fluoxetine treatment case study as an empirical anchor, the manual emphasizes the importance of multi-method assessment, symptom-cluster intervention approaches, external reinforcement structures, and clinical coordination. It concludes by outlining current research gaps and future directions in this complex clinical area.

Licensed Psychologists Graduate-Level Clinicians Clinical Psychologists Psychiatrists Psychopharmacologists

Program Objectives

Describe 3 core characteristics that differentiate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Identify 2 key psychological mechanisms linking incarceration and symptom worsening in patients with comorbid OCD and ASPD.

Explain 3 clinical strategies to improve pharmacotherapy adherence in patients with ASPD and OCD.

Evaluate 2 major research gaps regarding SSRI treatment efficacy in comorbid OCD and ASPD populations.