Research reveals abnormal activity in certain regions of the brain for both ADHD and OCD. OCD is associated with increased activity in frontal and striatal regions. However, ADHD is associated with decreased activity in similar regions.
OCD appears to lie at one end of this spectrum, while ADHD exists at the other. This is surprising considering that over 35 studies have reported that an average of 21% of children and 8.5% of adults with OCD actually have ADHD as well.
It's normal to experience intrusive thoughts on occasion. Frequent and overwhelming intrusive thoughts are common in people with ADHD, OCD, and autism. Acknowledging thoughts and then releasing them can help decrease their strength and frequency.
In essence, people with ADHD can experience more obsessive-compulsive behavior due to their brain's constant struggle with controlling themselves and their actions. Some ADHD group members have said that they often have thoughts of self-harm, sexual acts, or violence running through their minds.
An individual with OCD may avoid or become inattentive to stimuli that cause stress and anxiety, whereas a person with ADHD will hyperfocus on a stimulating task and can even lose track of time. Typical OCD manifestations such as cleaning and organizing items can actually be a coping mechanism for those with ADHD.
ADHD can result in OCD-like coping skills. A child or adult who has trouble getting organized or who are easily distracted may spend an inordinate amount of time arranging, ordering, and cleaning things. Sometimes that is procrastination, a typical ADHD trait, but it may be an ADHD coping-skill.
OCD has been mistaken as ADHD by many doctors since both diagnoses share a number of the same symptoms—anxiety, distractibility, perfectionism, impulsive behaviors and impaired executive functioning.
While the medications do not have to interact with one another, there can be significant reactions. Stimulant treatment for ADHD, for example, may exacerbate OCD symptoms. As stimulants increase attention and focus, they may also lead an individual with comorbid OCD to focus more on the obsessive thought.
If you have ADHD, you're more likely to fixate on something enjoyable or rewarding. This happens because ADHD changes how your brain perceives reward and gratification. If you're struggling with an ADHD fixation, remember that this does not make you a “lazy” or “irresponsible” adult.
People struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are often misdiagnosed as having other psychological conditions. One of the most common misdiagnoses for this population is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This diagnostic problem arises for two reasons.
While people with neurotypical brains can easily have and sustain a hobby, some adults with ADHD may struggle. They might easily lose interest in the activity or impulsively decide to try another one.
The mind of a person with ADHD is full of the minutiae of life (“Where are my keys?” “Where did I park the car?”), so there is little room left for new thoughts and memories. Something has to be discarded or forgotten to make room for new information. Often the information individuals with ADHD need is in their memory…
ADHD brains ruminate in negative thought patterns, and this is because of our brains' possible lack of emotional regulation. As some people with ADHD tend to be more sensitive to emotions, they are more likely to get anxious or angry ? over small things around them.
They include fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil). They can help by boosting serotonin levels in the brain.
Hyperfixation is a relatively short-lived obsession with a particular object or activity; it is often characterized by repetitive behaviors and a difficulty shifting attention to other tasks.
Adderall and other stimulant medications are not a first-line treatment for OCD. In some anecdotal cases, they may worsen OCD symptoms. There is also a higher risk of dependency. However, doctors commonly prescribe them for people who have both OCD and ADHD.
People with SCT have trouble focusing and paying attention, but they're less likely to be impulsive or hyperactive.
I explain that ADHD is a neurological condition which includes symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity. I then go onto listing the key traits that I struggle with such as: difficulties focusing, impulsiveness, procrastination and always feeling like I'm being 'driven by a motor'.
Stimulant meds, like Ritalin, that are prescribed for ADHD aren't effective for OCD. SSRI anti-depressant meds prescribed for OCD aren't usually helpful for ADHD symptoms although they might be prescribed if there is a co-exsisitng condition of depression.
The type of abnormal activity, though, is quite different: those with OCD exhibit significantly higher levels of activity in this system, while those with ADHD exhibit significantly lower levels of activity in it.
The way that OCD can manifest in those with ADHD is by acting as a coping mechanism and/or strategy to help be more efficient in their day-to-day tasks.
OCD is viewed as neurodiverse in origin because it satisfies the primary criteria of a neurodivergent disorder – people with OCD have a brain that processes and behaves differently from what is considered typical.