Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two different conditions. But if you live with both, then you already know that ADHD and OCD overlap in ways that can make the combination much more difficult to live with than the sum of their parts.
In this article, we’ll talk about how OCD is linked to ADHD, as well as how they’re different — and what to keep in mind when you’re seeking treatment.
Understanding ADHD and OCD
First, let’s briefly go over what these two conditions look like on their own.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means that it affects the brain as it is developing in early childhood. It’s characterized by difficulty with regulating your focus and energy.
There are three different subtypes of ADHD: the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, the predominantly inattentive type, and the combined type, when people experience symptoms of both.
Some of the core symptoms of ADHD include:
- Trouble focusing or paying attention
- Forgetting important details or losing things often
- Being restless, fidgety, or constantly on the go
- Difficulty staying organized or finishing tasks
- Interrupting others or acting impulsively
What Is OCD?
OCD is a mental health condition defined by the presence of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (behaviors or mental rituals that you feel driven to perform in order to relieve anxiety or to feel as though you are preventing something bad from happening). People often start to experience symptoms of OCD in childhood, but the condition can develop in adulthood as well.
The
- Intrusive thoughts that feel disturbing, upsetting, or uncontrollable.
- Mental or physical rituals, like repeating phrases in your head or washing your hands over and over.
- A strong sense of fear, doubt, or discomfort unless you perform a compulsion.
- Difficulty functioning in day-to-day life due to time spent on compulsions.
ADHD and OCD: Key Similarities and Differences
ADHD and OCD are entirely different conditions, but they can sometimes manifest in similar ways. It’s important to understand how they’re similar and different so that you can describe your experience more clearly to a healthcare provider and get an accurate diagnosis.
Similarities
OCD and ADHD can present overlapping signs:
- They both affect your brain. Both ADHD and OCD
affect your brain[2] , especially in areas responsible for attention, regulation, and decision-making. - They both can cause repetitive behaviors. People with ADHD may have repetitive behaviors out of boredom or stimulation-seeking (stimming), while people with OCD repeat actions due to anxiety or fear (compulsions). Compulsions can look like stimming (and vice versa), especially to the untrained eye.
- They can both come with other mental health conditions, especially depression. Depression is a common comorbidity in both OCD and ADHD. The stress of living with either condition can make you more vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Over
50% of people with OCD[3] , andaround 30% of people with ADHD[4] , also live with depression. - They can both lead to executive functioning deficits. Executive functioning includes skills like planning, memory, and emotional regulation. Both conditions can affect these abilities, but in different ways.
Differences
At their core, however, ADHD and OCD are very different conditions, and it’s important not to confuse them for each other because they’re treated in different ways.
Some of the biggest differences include:
- The nature and core symptoms. ADHD is centered around difficulty with attention and impulse control. OCD is about intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals.
- Brain activity patterns. Even though they both affect similar regions of the brain,
the activity is different[5] . ADHD is often linked to underactivity in the prefrontal cortex, while OCD is more connected tooveractivity[6] in brain circuits related to fear and habit formation. - Impulsive vs. compulsive behaviors. Impulsive and compulsive behaviors are actually very different. ADHD impulsivity happens quickly, without much thought. OCD compulsions are usually deliberate and performed over and over again to relieve anxiety.
- People with OCD can’t tolerate risk. ADHD-related impulsivity often means that people with ADHD tend to engage in more reckless or risky behaviors. OCD, on the other hand, causes the opposite — people with OCD are often unwilling to take on any risk at all.
Can You Have Both ADHD and OCD?
It’s not only possible to have both OCD and ADHD together — if you live with one of these conditions, then you are statistically more likely to also live with the other. Comorbidity research has found that around
But the fact that these two conditions appear so frequently together can also lead to some challenges with diagnosis. The symptoms of one of these conditions can hide behind the other, depending on which condition is more severe at the moment.
But some researchers believe that comorbidity of OCD with ADHD
For example,
What Does OCD and ADHD Look Like?
Living with ADHD and OCD together can be much more difficult than living with one or the other. Their overlapping symptoms can come together in a way that can make day-to-day life more challenging.
Some of the unique challenges that you might face if you live with both OCD and ADHD include:
- Worse obsessions. ADHD can make the self-doubting part of OCD obsessions worse for some people. For example, someone with hit-and-run OCD may obsess constantly that they’ve run someone over and didn’t realize it. If they have ADHD, they may commonly have the experience of doing something and forgetting about it later, which can make the doubt around these obsessions even more severe.
- Social difficulties. Both ADHD and OCD can make it difficult to sustain healthy relationships, and when you live with both conditions, relationships and social interaction may feel completely overwhelming. For example, children who live with ADHD and OCD may struggle to read social cues, experience anxiety around peers, or isolate themselves to avoid judgment.
- Worse sleep problems. Both OCD and ADHD can cause difficulties with sleep, but if you live with both, these problems may get even worse. For example, ADHD-related hyperactivity could keep you up at first, which could eventually provide an opportunity for your brain to start revolving around OCD obsessions.
- Mental health complications. Having both conditions may increase your risk for anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts. The daily frustration of trying to function with both OCD and ADHD — especially if you haven’t received a diagnosis or treatment — can take a major toll on your mental health.
If you’re experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts and require immediate assistance, contact a crisis hotline, such as 911, 988 suicide & crisis lifeline (toll-free), or Samaritans (116-123 or via chat).
Treatment Approaches for ADHD and OCD
Treating both ADHD and OCD together can be more complex, but with the right support, you can learn how to manage symptoms of both conditions and feel your best.
ADHD Treatment
The most effective treatment for ADHD is medication, specifically stimulant medications. If you can’t or choose not to take stimulants, there are non-stimulant medication options that can work as well. Many people with ADHD also benefit from therapy or coaching to learn how to navigate day-to-day life along with their symptoms. Therapy can also help prevent co-occurring mental health conditions like depression. With MEDvidi’s online ADHD treatment, you can consult with a licensed medical provider and receive a personalized treatment plan from the comfort of your home.
OCD Treatment
The first-choice treatment for OCD is typically a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called
Treatment Specifics for ADHD/OCD Comorbidity
If you live with both, then it’s essential to work with a treatment provider who has knowledge on how to treat both OCD and ADHD at the same time. Treating one condition and not the other can get you locked in a cycle where neither of them improves. Both conditions may require separate treatment strategies, and managing both together takes a coordinated plan.
Fortunately, both of these conditions can be treated at the same time. OCD and ADHD medication can work together. ADHD medication isn’t known to make OCD worse — or vice versa. Sometimes, antidepressant medications that are used for OCD may even help reduce ADHD symptoms as well.
Final Thoughts
Living with both OCD and ADHD can come with unique challenges — but with the right support, treatment plan, and understanding of how these conditions overlap, it’s possible to manage ADHD and OCD symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
At MEDvidi, you can connect with healthcare professionals who are trained in treating co-occurring mental health conditions, including ADHD and OCD. Book an online appointment at MEDvidi in a few clicks and get connected with a licensed medical provider who can help you get back to feeling your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ADHD cause OCD?
No, ADHD doesn’t cause OCD (nor the other way around). But having ADHD may make it more likely that you’ll also be diagnosed with OCD.
Is it possible to have autism, OCD, and ADHD?
Yes, it’s possible to have all three conditions. There’s significant symptom overlap and comorbidity between them.
What is the overlap between ADHD and OCD?
What do ADHD and OCD look like together?
Can OCD rituals sometimes look like ADHD hyperfocus?
Yes — compulsions can sometimes look like hyperfocus, especially when someone gets stuck in a ritual. But the motivation behind the behaviors is different.
Is it harder to get an ADHD diagnosis if you also have OCD?
It can be. OCD symptoms can mask or mimic some symptoms of ADHD, especially related to attention and focus.
Do ADHD or OCD influence sensory sensitivities differently?
Yes — sensory overload is more common in ADHD, while OCD can involve fixations on specific sensations. But both can cause distress around sensory input.
