Is it possible to have ocd and adhd

For instance, 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 a difficulty focusing on one task at a time.

The treatment may involve medications, cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , or behavior management. Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between ADHD and OCD, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

The fundamental nature of ADHD and OCD is very different, and individuals typically exhibit diverse symptoms in each of these mental health conditions. ADHD is an externalizing disorder , affecting how individuals outwardly relate to their environment.

It can present with either inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity. People with ADHD may have highly varying symptoms that do not fit neatly into each category. They may also experience symptoms of both. Not everyone with ADHD experiences all potential symptoms. Moreover, ADHD may present differently in girls, as well as in adults, compared with children. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD here.

Learn more about ADHD in adults here. While ADHD comes with many challenges, there are also several potential benefits to having the condition. Learn more here.

OCD is an internalizing disorder , which means that people with the condition respond to anxiety by turning inward. People living with OCD can have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Experts do not know the cause of or risk factors for ADHD. Potential causes and risk factors include :. Common views include that ADHD can result from watching too much television, eating excessive amounts of sugar , parenting style, or social factors.

Learn more about the environmental causes of ADHD here. Doctors do not know the cause of OCD. However, some factors that may contribute to the development of the condition include:. There are several steps to diagnose a person with ADHD, and there is no single test that doctors can use for diagnosis. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. One-third of adults with OCD had the disorder as a child. Many also recognize there are crossover symptoms of OCD-like behavior and several other disorders.

Both are caused by problems in the frontal lobe, but ADHD is caused by under-activity not enough dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, and OCD is due to overactivity too much serotonin.

Although the different types of ADHD present very differently, all types are believed to be caused by low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. The person with the hyperactive type of ADHD that is fidgety, restless, impulsive, and careless would appear to be the opposite of a person with OCD, generally more cautious, focused, and attentive. People with the inattentive type of ADHD are often distracted, disorganized, day-dreamy, and forgetful. Again, not your stereotypical OCD traits.

These two disorders often get confused when a child or adult in a work setting with OCD has trouble in school. After all, ADHD, which causes problems with executive functioning organization, planning, reasoning, prioritizing, executing projects, following through with work, etc. A child with OCD who spends a lot of time ordering, arranging, or checking their books, supplies, and handwriting may appear to be having problems with executive functions when in fact, they are simply trying to get or keep things on the desk in the proper place.

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. Many people with ADHD become over-stimulated by the clutter and disorganization in their environment.

This often results in anxiety, or simply shutting down. As a result, they may learn strategies to prevent clutter and disorganization that look like OCD behaviors, ie.

With regard to proper diagnosis, it is important to remember that ADHD is present across all domains; OCD is generally very specific with regard to obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It is also worth noting that not all people with OCD have the type related to fear of germs and cleaning.

In fact, most do not have spotless homes or lockers. In these cases, it is extremely important to treat both disorders. Obsessions can take many forms: repetitive words, thoughts, fears, memories, pictures. Compulsive behaviors, such as hand-washing, counting, checking, or cleaning, are performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Since the presenting behaviors might look the same, it is important to know whether both problems exist.

For reasons that are not known, stimulant medications may exacerbate an existing case of OCD. Or, if the OCD behaviors are minimal and not obvious to parents, a stimulant may make them clinically apparent. If you or your child has both conditions, it is best to treat the OCD first. Once these behaviors are under control, the stimulant can often be reintroduced without causing a flare-up of the OCD behaviors.

If you think that your son or daughter may have ADHD and OCD, see a professional who understands the concept of treating someone with more than one disorder. The most frequent worries in children and adolescents are about picking up germs and becoming sick or dying, or about getting sick and throwing up. Counting or repeating: the need to touch something a certain number of times; the need to repeat a specific behavior or pattern of behaviors. Checking or questioning: the need to check and recheck something e.

Arranging and organizing: the need to tie shoes or to dress or undress in a certain sequence; the need to organize toys, dolls, or other items in a certain way; becoming upset if anything is changed. Collecting or hoarding: saving books, magazines, ticket stubs, birthday cards, or other items in the belief that they are important and cannot be thrown away.

Especially in someone who may also have ADHD. The stimulants increase focus. With them, the person is not only more focused on the OCD task, but will likely notice more easily when something is out of order. You must be logged in to post a comment.