The impact of obsessive-compulsive, dependent, and avoidant personality disorders on social and occupational functioning: therapeutic implications for socio-professional reintegration

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive, dependent, and avoidant personality disorders manifest through persistent patterns of cognition and behavior that subtly yet profoundly disrupt daily life. They often lead to chronic difficulties in adaptation, particularly within social and occupational domains, where functionality is both expected and demanded. This study explores how quiet disorders can profoundly disrupt lives—and how tailored therapy can help rebuild them. Relevant literature was collected from reputable academic databases, including NCBI, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar, focusing on publications from 2014 to 2025. A total of 27 sources were selected. Obsessive-compulsive personality is linked to perfectionism-driven conflict, depression, burnout, and increased error risk, despite a tendency toward self-employment. Dependent individuals engage in risky attachments, have poor boundaries, show risk for domestic violence, exhibit possessiveness, and struggle with autonomy. Avoidant personalities self-isolate, sabotage relationships, prefer part-time or solitary roles, suppress emotion, display social clumsiness, and limit career engagement. The article outlines effective psychotherapeutic interventions—particularly CBT—while emphasizing the need for individualized, multidisciplinary reintegration strategies that go beyond symptom management. Internalized maladaptive belief systems contribute to role dysfunction, social withdrawal, and vocational stagnation. By shifting the focus from pathology to potential, this work advocates for a function-centered model of care that empowers individuals not only to recover, but to meaningfully re-engage with their social and occupational environments.