There’s nothing quite like walking through the rainforest here in South-East Queensland with its cool shade, trickling creeks, flashes of bright feathers, and long vines for swinging on. Look up, and you’ll see a dense tangle of green: trees and climbing plants weaving around each other, each one twisting and stretching toward the light.
In the same way, ADHD and OCD may often be intertwined in the brain. These two conditions may share the same mental space but pull in opposite directions – one is impulsive and easily distracted, while the other seeks control and finds comfort in repetition.
Understanding ADHD and OCD
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, attention, and impulse control. People with ADHD may struggle with starting or completing tasks, staying organised, or following through on responsibilities.
The stereotypical image of ADHD is usually of a young boy practically bouncing off the classroom walls – and that may fit the hyperactive subtype of ADHD. But there’s also a type of ADHD that’s primarily about inattention. That’s more common among girls and women with ADHD, who may daydream, feel overwhelmed, be highly sensitive to criticism or stress and struggle with emotional regulation. They may seem very capable, but it takes an immense effort to hold everything together.
OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), on the other hand, is an anxiety-related condition characterised by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that are performed to relieve distress.
At first glance, both may involve difficulty concentrating or engaging in repetitive behaviours. But the underlying causes, and how they feel to the person, can be very different.
Key differences between ADHD and OCD
- Thought patterns
ADHD involves distractibility and mind-wandering. OCD involves intrusive thoughts that are unwanted and anxiety-inducing. - Behaviours
ADHD-related behaviours are usually impulsive or unintentional. OCD behaviours are repetitive rituals performed to reduce anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. - Motivation
People with OCD may feel “forced” to complete a compulsion to avoid distress. In contrast, people with ADHD may struggle with starting or finishing tasks due to lack of focus or interest.
Can you have ADHD and OCD at the same time?
Yes, it is possible (and fairly common) to have both ADHD and OCD.
Let’s imagine a child who is struggling to complete a task. That could be because:
- They have ADHD and their attention keeps wandering.
- They have OCD and are caught in a repetitive loop of checking and re-checking their work.
- They have both conditions, meaning they began the task late (ADHD) and then got stuck repeating parts of it (OCD).
This is a complex presentation. Symptoms can overlap and influence one another, confusing the picture and delaying support. One condition can overshadow the other – impulsivity in ADHD may hide the more subtle signs of compulsive behaviour in OCD, for example.
It’s essential to get a careful assessment from a suitably trained and experienced professional who can disentangle the differing symptoms, recognise their impact, make an accurate dual diagnosis and recommend evidence-based treatments.
Note: Neurofit does not diagnose ADHD or OCD.
To begin exploring a diagnosis, please see your GP for advice.
Is it common to have ADHD and OCD?
About 1 in 9 people with OCD also have ADHD. In children with OCD, the overlap is even higher; around 1 in 4 also have ADHD. This means it’s not unusual for both conditions to occur together, especially in younger people.
Living with both ADHD and OCD may lead to more severe challenges with functioning, emotional regulation, and daily activities compared to having just one of the conditions.
Treatment options for ADHD and OCD
Treating both ADHD and OCD together requires a balanced approach, especially because some treatments for one condition may exacerbate the other.
Medication
Stimulant medications used for ADHD can sometimes increase anxiety or obsessions. Medications used for OCD may ease ADHD-related anxiety but not other symptoms. A skilled paediatrician is needed to manage these medications.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people with OCD to manage obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsions. It may also benefit those with ADHD by supporting better emotional regulation and task planning.
Brain-based and neuroplasticity approaches
At Neurofit Brain Centre, we offer neuroplasticity-based programs tailored to individual needs.
Living with ADHD and OCD: what does it feel like?
People with both ADHD and OCD often describe life as a constant tug-of-war between distraction and over-focus: ADHD pushes them to jump quickly from one thought to the next while OCD pulls them into mental loops that are hard to escape.
This can make day-to-day life feel overwhelming. Tasks can either be forgotten or endlessly repeated. Families and healthcare professionals need to understand this internal struggle.
Final thoughts
While ADHD and OCD present very differently, they can intersect in ways that complicate life for both children and adults. An accurate dual diagnosis and evidence-based strategies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Cabarkapa S, King JA, Dowling N, Ng CH. Co-Morbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Neurobiological Commonalities and Treatment Implications. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Aug 13;10:557. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00557. PMID: 31456703; PMCID: PMC6700219. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6700219/, [Accessed 4 September 2025]
- Saline, S. (n.d.). OCD and ADHD: The vexing comorbidity confounding doctors, patients. ADDitude Magazine. https://www.additudemag.com/ocd-adhd-comorbid-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment/?srsltid=AfmBOooSd7MLTQGTkUrpLKJDzwVGHMDgHUr8VC4JIdHh6MXp-XZWwp4p, [Accessed 4 September 2025]
