OCD & ADHD: Where They Overlap And Where They Diverge
By Katherine Pica LCSW
You’re having trouble sleeping. Your memory has been less than stellar lately. You couldn’t plan ahead to save your life right now. And why can’t you make even a simple decision like where or what you want to eat for dinner? You feel stuck. You have misplaced your keys for the 10th time this week! “ What the heck is wrong with me?” After researching your symptoms online, you can’t pinpoint whether you’re dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). You’re not alone. OCD and ADHD can be easily confused with one another. They share a lot of the same symptoms and can often overlap.
Let’s learn more about the similarities between OCD and ADHD, as well as what separates them.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common type of mental health disorder that causes some people to have obsessions or unwanted thoughts that can lead to repetitive actions or compulsions. OCD often involves two main symptoms: obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions in OCD are unwelcomed and distressing thoughts or images that may enter your mind. Often repeatedly they will come seemingly against your will.
Compulsions in OCD are behaviors or mental acts that you may feel driven to do in response to the compulsions. Often people will experience anxiety until the compulsion is done. Compulsions may temporarily reduce anxiety but will grow and reinforce OCD in the long run.
Let’s look more at the symptoms.
OCD Symptoms
OCD obsessions include some of the following:
Intense fear of contamination
Fear of self-harm or harming someone else
Unwanted sexual thoughts
Disturbing religious thoughts
Worry you may have upset God
Fear of something bad happening
Excessive worry about your relationship
Violent horrific images
Need for symmetry or exactness
Concerns of having a disease or illness
Excessive concerns about sexual orientation
Fear of saying the wrong thing
Excessive concern over right and wrong
Some of the most common OCD compulsions include the following:
Seeking reassurance
Arranging or organizing objects
Checking and re-checking
Extreme cleaning
Excessive hand washing
Avoiding contaminated objects
Rumination
Need to touch tap or rub
Counting
Repeating activities
Doing something until it feels just right
Excessive praying
Avoiding situations that cause anxiety
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder that causes some people to be overly active, impulsive, and inattentive. In some cases, ADHD can cause a combination of these three traits.
ADHD symptoms
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty listening
Easily distracted
Difficulty following through on instructions
Dislike of tasks that require lengthy attention
Distracted
Losing items often
Excessive talking
Forgetfulness
Blurting out answers
Interrupts others
Fidgets often
Difficulty organizing
Challenges with sustained attention
How OCD and ADHD Overlap
OCD and ADHD share some similar symptoms. They also cause similar problems for someone experiencing these disorders. Here are some of the main ways that OCD and ADHD overlap:
Atypical activity in the brain
OCD and ADHD both show atypical activity in the brain. The area that is affected by each disorder is involved with many behavioral and cognitive functions such as attention, flexibility, habits, and focus on goals. When this area is affected , it can make it harder for someone to make decisions, remember things, plan, and switch between different tasks.
Impact on work, school, or relationships
ADHD is most widely known for causing issues with school or work. ADHD can make it hard to stay focused, complete tasks, and manage timeframes and schedules. OCD can cause the same difficulties. The time spent on obsessions and compulsions can be a huge distraction to someone’s day-to-day life, just as much as ADHD can be.
OCD and ADHD Shared Symptoms
OCD and ADHD can look alike. Some of the overlap between these two disorders include:
Anxiety
Frustration
Depression
Difficulty concentrating
Inattention
Sleep Problems
Difficulty focusing
Where OCD and ADHD Diverge
Even though OCD and ADHD have a lot of similarities, there are some major differences that differentiate the two and make them two completely different disorders. Knowing the right disorder is crucial in ensuring you are set up for success with the right treatment plan.
Effects on Brain Activity
Despite showing similar atypical activity in the brain, each disorder’s effects on the brain are very different. OCD usually shows signs of too much activity, while those with ADHD show lower activity.
OCD Compulsions vs. ADHD
If you’re struggling to find the correct diagnosis, the compulsions tied to OCD can be a good indicator. OCD requires compulsions to be completed regularly, sometimes multiple times a day. Sometimes there can be physical compulsions present like hand washing or repeating certain activities. Also there can be mental compulsions where you go over things over and over in your head. I often hear my clients describe it as thought spirals that get them stuck. Compulsions are a good sign that OCD could be present.
How to get therapy for OCD and ADHD San Diego
OCD and ADHD can look very similar to one another. If you have signs or symptoms that could be OCD or ADHD, it's important to meet with a therapist who can fully assess and diagnose your symptoms so that a treatment plan can be put into place.
If you’re showing signs of both disorders and are curious if you have OCD, ADHD, or both, contact us today for a consultation. We can help you get you back to living your life!
