When diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, there’s a factor that doesn’t get enough attention from the general public. About one in three people diagnosed with a disorder will also have at least one more mental health condition. For example, at least 25 percent of those dealing with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Such a reality makes it urgent for mental health practitioners to ensure proper assessment while also working closely with clients to create an ideal treatment protocol. This post will highlight some of the similarities and differences between these two disorders, along with providing some helpful coping mechanisms. So, let’s get things started.
The Intersections and Distinctions of ADHD and OCD
On the surface, there’s a big, main difference. Broadly speaking, someone with OCD will react internally to events that create anxiety for them. People with ADHD, on the other hand, tend to display external reactions to their triggers.
Even so, ADHD and OCD impact the same part of your brain. Called the frontostriatal area, this dual effect can hamper a person’s ability to effectively make plans, accurately recall memories, and make rational decisions. Such an overlap can make it trickier to connect symptoms to their root cause.
Here are some other significant factors to consider about these co-existing conditions:
- Childhood trauma can be linked to both ADHD and OCD.
- For obvious reasons, “attention deficit” is associated with ADHD, but loss of focus is just as pervasive for folks with OCD. The relentless obsessions and compulsions can overshadow all other cognitive processes.
- To follow up on the point above, the combined impact of two disorders that cause distractibility will often play out in one’s school and work lives. Executive functioning takes a hit, but the key is for the therapist to figure out the primary cause for this.
- The increased presence of stress caused by each disorder (and, of course, their combined effect) may bring a higher risk of the person facing other diagnoses like depression or anxiety.
- In terms of physical signs of co-morbid OCD and ADHD, keep in mind that both conditions are associated with sleep disturbances along with digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.
Getting the Correct Diagnosis
With so much overlap, even a seasoned clinician will need time and effort to make sure they get it right. For example, when OCD and ADHD are both present, one can be missed. A great place for both you and your therapist to focus is to avoid easy stereotypes. Sure, OCD frequently involves a fixation on order and cleanliness, but it’s far more than that. Meanwhile, despite their reputation for forgetfulness, people with ADHD quite often display the ability to hyper-focus.
Also, there is a strong tendency toward ritual for those diagnosed with OCD. Their compulsions can offer temporary relief from overwhelming anxiety. But, since ADHD can make it difficult to stay organized, it’s not uncommon for persons with this condition to develop strict rituals as a counterbalance. When diagnosing, it’s essential to discern which issue is the engine for a particular symptom.
This is challenging, but working together with an experienced therapist can make you a powerful team.
What Kind of Coping Strategies Are Ideal For Co-Morbid ADHD and OCD?
After the work has been done, you may learn that both OCD and ADHD are present. Now what? Here are some self-help steps you can take to complement your therapeutic treatment:
- Create a trusted support system to lean on
- Practice daily self-care, such as cultivating steady routines with sleeping, eating, exercise, and stress management
- Practice mindfulness
- Get help to formulate a healthy structure in your life
- Be patient with the process
To learn more about the complex combination of ADHD and OCD, I invite you to reach out to talk at your earliest convenience.
