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.
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.
One difference between ADHD and OCD is chemical. ADHD is in part due to low dopamine levels in the brain and OCD is due in part to low serotonin in the brain. The medications prescribed for the 2 conditions are different too. Stimulant meds, like Ritalin, that are prescribed for ADHD aren't effective for OCD.
Anxiety is a prominent symptom of ADHD, but it is also the main symptom of PTSD, phobias and panic disorder. Now, worrisome and intrusive thoughts are two cognitive features of anxiety, hence they are already part and parcel of ADHD spectrum of symptoms.
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. You know it's not healthy, but you can't seem to stop yourself. It makes sense.
However, ADHD stimulant medication can sometimes make OCD worse. Patients with ADHD and OCD sometimes find that stimulants make it difficult to focus on anything but their obsessions.
Medication. One of the ways that medication can help ADHD is that it helps turn down the noise of your overactive brain. If you catch yourself ruminating, and haven't taken medication yet today, try your medication to see if that helps.
One of the main causes of racing thoughts in individuals with ADHD is an overactive brain. People with ADHD tend to have a higher level of activity in the areas of the brain responsible for attention and decision-making, leading to a constant stream of thoughts that are difficult to control.
People who are distressed by recurring, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts or who feel driven to repeat specific behaviors may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The thoughts and behaviors that characterize OCD can interfere with daily life, but treatment can help people manage their symptoms.
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety.
One way to practice mindfulness when racing thoughts ADHD has you off-center, is to take a deep breath, ask yourself what your focus should be in that moment (ex: going to sleep), actively release any tension in your body, and take another deep breath.
ADHD challenges with working memory, long-term memory, processing speed, emotional regulation and distractions can make it difficult for you to organize your thoughts into words. Learn more about these ADHD challenges so you understand why it can be a challenge for you to organize your thoughts to speak effectively.
While Adderall continues to be a frequently prescribed drug, it makes sense that people might be tempted to attempt to use Adderall's focus-improving effects to treat anxiety symptoms. Adderall is an uncommon treatment for anxiety and can actually make anxiety symptoms worse.
ADHD causes OCD-like coping techniques. A person who is easily distracted and has challenges staying organized may spend extra time cleaning, ordering, and arranging things.
Try working with someone else in the room. Having a “body double” (someone who sits with you while you work on tasks) can help you focus, even if they're just working on their own projects. Remember that you're not alone. Consider turning to local or online ADHD communities to build a social support system.
The most common class of effective medications are antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They include fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil).
What Causes the ADHD Brain to Hyperfocus? Like distractibility, hyperfocus is thought to result from abnormally low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is particularly active in the brain's frontal lobes. This dopamine deficiency makes it hard to “shift gears” to take up boring-but-necessary tasks.
Racing thoughts occur when a persons' mind is filled with a constant stream of fast moving thoughts. Those with ADHD often struggle with racing thoughts, making it difficult for them to complete tasks and focus on responsibilities.
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety. You might try to ignore them or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things.
ADHD hyperfixation refers to an intense and often prolonged state of concentration on a particular activity or object. This may lead to happiness, satisfaction, and, at times, increased productivity.