Similarities and Differences Between ADHD and OCD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are conditions that affect how a person thinks and behaves. ADHD is a neurodivergent disorder that affects a person’s ability to focus and pay attention. A person with ADHD may seem impulsive and have trouble sitting still.

OCD is a mental health condition that causes compulsions and obsessions. A person with OCD may engage in repetitive behaviors to control their anxiety. 

ADHD affects 5-9% of the population in the United States, and OCD affects up to 1-2%. While ADHD and OCD share some similarities, there are key differences in how they each affect your brain. It is possible to live with both conditions at the same time. However, ADHD and OCD are both treatable with therapy and medications. 

Symptoms of ADHD vs. OCD

ADHD and OCD can both affect your daily life, and some symptoms can be similar. ADHD, however, causes hallmark symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. OCD causes obsessions (repetitive irrational thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive irrational behaviors).

Here's a breakdown of how symptoms of both conditions compare.

Differences

While both conditions can cause symptoms that affect daily life and overall well-being, ADHD and OCD manifest differently and cause various experiences. 

ADHD and OCD Affect the Brain Differently

ADHD and OCD both affect the frontal lobe of the brain. ADHD causes the frontal lobe to become underactive because there is not enough of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. OCD causes the frontal lobe to become overactive due to too much serotonin, another type of brain chemical. 

These chemical differences cause a person with ADHD to engage in impulsive behavior and a person with OCD to think through situations and avoid risks. 

The Experience of Both Conditions Is Different

While ADHD and OCD share some of the same symptoms, they feel very different to the people experiencing them. People with ADHD tend to have more externalizing behaviors. This means that they direct their distress outward to other people. People with OCD are more likely to experience internalizing behaviors, which means that they experience internal stress or panic frequently. 

ADHD Changes Over Time

Both ADHD and OCD are lifelong conditions. However, the symptoms of ADHD may change as a person gets older and improve with age. OCD symptoms tend to stay consistent over a person’s lifetime. Research estimates that up to 20-40% of people who have ADHD as children may outgrow the symptoms entirely in adulthood. 

Similarities

While key differences between both conditions exist, there are some similarities between ADHD and OCD. Specifically, these conditions can raise your risk of other health conditions, affect relationships, and be treated with similar therapies.

ADHD and OCD Raise the Risk of Other Health Conditions

ADHD and OCD both raise the risk of the same health conditions. People with ADHD or OCD have an increased risk of anxiety, depression, sleeping difficulty, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Both Conditions Affect Relationships

While the experiences of ADHD and OCD differ, both conditions can affect your relationships.

People with ADHD often seem impulsive and restless. They may talk without taking breaks or giving others the chance to speak, which can sometimes make friendships challenging. 

People with OCD experience obsessions and compulsions that can be pretty time-consuming. They may have difficulty maintaining relationships because of their repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts. 

They Have Similar Treatment Plans

While ADHD and OCD are lifelong conditions, they can be managed well with treatment. The treatment plans for ADHD and OCD both include therapy, medication management, and lifestyle changes, such as structured schedules, limited distractions, and social skills training. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that addresses unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and may be beneficial for both ADHD and OCD treatment. People with OCD may also benefit from exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which exposes you to your obsessions and fears in a safe way for you to become comfortable with them. 

Medications are often an essential part of treatment for both conditions. People with ADHD may benefit from taking stimulant medications such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) to help with concentration and focus. A healthcare provider will prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant, to relieve OCD symptoms.

Can You Have Both ADHD and OCD?

It is possible to have both ADHD and OCD at the same time. Up to 12% of people with OCD may also have ADHD, and this connection is stronger in children. Up to 25.5% of children with OCD also have ADHD.

When a person has both ADHD and OCD, it's important to receive treatment for both conditions simultaneously to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

When To Seek Care and Who to Contact

It is important to seek care as soon as you or your child develop symptoms of ADHD or OCD. Both conditions are treatable, and early diagnosis is important.

If you are concerned that your symptoms may be related to ADHD or OCD, talk with your primary healthcare provider. They will meet with you to discuss your symptoms. They can also refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or licensed therapist, for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.

A Quick Review

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodivergent condition that causes inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes intense obsessions and compulsions. 

Both conditions can affect your daily life and functioning, causing symptoms like sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and trouble maintaining social relationships. Medications and therapy are effective in treating both conditions.