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.
Comorbid OCD and ADHD enhance the symptoms of each other, though the presence of OCD may attenuate hyperactivity in some ADHD patients. OCD also has an earlier onset when ADHD is present.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two different mental health conditions. OCD involves obsessive thoughts while ADHD makes it hard to focus and involves hyperactivity and impulsivity.
About 30% of people with ADHD have co-occurring anxiety disorders, including OCD. 7 Those who have problems with low dopamine and/or norepinephrine and high levels of serotonin may indeed have both OCD and ADHD. In these cases, it is extremely important to treat both disorders.
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.
Thirty to 50 percent of individuals with ADHD also have a learning disability, difficulty regulating emotions (anxiety, mood disorder), anger, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and/or a tic disorder. It is essential to identify each problem and treat it appropriately.
Repetitive behaviours are part of being autistic and should not be misunderstood as a sign that you may have OCD. The similarities between autistic traits and OCD symptoms can make it difficult to know which is a result of OCD and which is a part of being autistic.
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.
The bottom line
OCD can manifest in four main ways: contamination/washing, doubt/checking, ordering/arranging, and unacceptable/taboo thoughts. Obsessions and compulsions that revolve about contamination and germs are the most common type of OCD, but OCD can cover a wide range of topics.
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.
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.
OCPD is a personality disorder. It looks and feels different than OCD. People with OCPD are strongly focused on—even obsessed with—a goal of perfection for themselves and others.
Presentation. Primarily obsessional OCD has been called "one of the most distressing and challenging forms of OCD."
Harm OCD. This subtype of OCD involves intrusive thoughts of harming others or committing some sort of violent act. Someone who suffers from these types of thoughts experiences significant distress, because thoughts of harming others are inconsistent with their values and who they are.
People with severe OCD have obsessions with cleanliness and germs — washing their hands, taking showers, or cleaning their homes for hours a day. Sometimes they're afraid to leave home for fear of contamination.
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.
The most common class of effective medications is antidepressants, known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). They include fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and paroxetine (Paxil).
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
It's unlikely that OCD can actually cause schizophrenia to develop. But while OCD doesn't necessarily cause schizophrenia, it can come with higher chances of experiencing it than people without OCD.
The disorders vary in the extent to which they are characterized by compulsivity versus impulsivity, and this difference is often discussed in terms of a compulsive-impulsive spectrum.
People with SCT have trouble focusing and paying attention, but they're less likely to be impulsive or hyperactive.
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.