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.
People with OCD tend to have obsessive thoughts, which they try to prevent by engaging in repetitive rituals, or compulsions. In contrast, a person with ADHD typically presents with excessive hyperactivity and impulsivity and difficulty focusing on one task at a time.
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.
Obsessing and ruminating are often part of living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No matter how hard you try to ignore them, those negative thoughts just keep coming back, replaying themselves in an infinite loop.
Intrusive thoughts can be persistent and disruptive in people with ADHD due to the underlying neurobiological differences in the brain. Individuals with ADHD often experience difficulty regulating their attention, leading to a constant stream of thoughts that are difficult to control.
It's when your thoughts get caught in a loop, and you go over and over the same thoughts without feeling better or finding a resolution. Your thinking might get stuck on day to day worries or on future events.
There are, however, some little known signs or symptoms that are also a part of dealing with OCD. These can include body hyperawareness, fear of emotional contamination, perfectionism, obsession with morality, and fear of harming others.
The more you attempt to either push away or to "understand" the thought, the "stickier" the thought becomes. When the thought feels uncontrollable and "sticky" and the efforts to get rid of it don't bring a lasting relief, this may be a sign that your OCD got you on the hook again.
Withdrawing from family and friends because of obsessions with contamination. Avoiding physical intimacy with a partner out of fear of germs, religious impurity, or intrusive violent thoughts. Being late for social events because too much time is spent checking stoves, locks, or light switches.
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.
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.
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.
repeating words in their head. thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts. avoiding places and situations that could trigger obsessive thoughts.
There is no brain imaging or blood test that can diagnose OCD. But your doctor may want to perform further tests to rule out any possible physical conditions. Initially, it can be hard to tell the difference between OCD and other mental disorders, like anxiety, because of overlapping symptoms.
It is very important you visit your GP if you have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The impact of OCD on your day-to-day life can be reduced if the condition is diagnosed and effectively treated. Many people with OCD do not report their symptoms to their GP because they feel ashamed or embarrassed.
For example, that you have knocked someone over in your car. Worrying you're going to harm someone because you will lose control. For example, that you will push someone in front of a train or stab them. Violent intrusive thoughts or images of yourself doing something violent or abusive.
False Memory OCD refers to a cluster of OCD presentations wherein the sufferer becomes concerned about a thought that appears to relate to a past event. The event can be something that actually happened (but over which there is some confusion) or it can be something completely fabricated by the mind.
Constantly seeking approval or reassurance. Rituals related to numbers, such as counting, repeating, excessively preferencing or avoiding certain numbers. People with OCD may also avoid certain people, places, or situations that cause them distress and trigger obsessions and/or compulsions.
While both mental health conditions involve repetitive worrying, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often engage in unwanted and repetitive behavior in response to their worry. People with anxiety, however, tend to overthink their worry, but don't act in specific responsive manners.
OCD and ADHD: Treatment Considerations
As stimulants increase attention and focus, they may also lead an individual with comorbid OCD to focus more on the obsessive thought. However, there are cases when stimulants can help treat OCD, especially if symptoms are triggered by inattentiveness and other ADHD symptoms.
The hallmark signs of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. For some people with ADHD, only one of these behaviors is the primary problem, but for others it's a combination.
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.
Common compulsions include excessive cleaning and hand washing; repeatedly checking doors, locks, appliances, and such; rituals designed to ward off contact with superstitious objects; using prayers or chants to prevent bad things from happening; arranging and rearranging objects; and hoarding huge numbers of ordinary ...