Certain conditions have come to the forefront of the public consciousness in recent years. OCD and ADHD are two of those. Many individuals have been diagnosed with these conditions.
Understanding OCD or ADHD becomes vital if you have someone in your life with one of these conditions. You should also be aware that they’re not the same thing, though. In the following article, we’ll talk about the differences that make each diagnosis unique.
What is OCD?
OCD is a diagnosis that can involve repetitive behaviors or compulsions. The person who receives this diagnosis generally feels compelled to perform these behaviors. Sometimes, the behaviors are relatively harmless, but other times, they can hamper the afflicted person’s ability to lead a normal life.
Someone with OCD might have fears or thoughts that someone without it would probably consider to be unrealistic or unreasonable. You might see someone with OCD become obsessed with germs, or they may feel the need to arrange all the objects in their home in a particular way to feel safe.
What About ADHD?
As for ADHD, it is considered by medical doctors to be a neurodevelopmental disorder. It can start to develop in childhood, though someone who receives this diagnosis must also grapple with the condition throughout adulthood.
Sometimes, a person with ADHD can have trouble maintaining a healthy relationship. Other times, someone who has it may struggle at school or at work. They may have low self-esteem. They may also have trouble paying attention, or they might have periods of intense hyperactivity.
How Do These Conditions Differ?
ADHD and OCD have some overlapping symptoms, but they also have some distinct differences. For instance, someone with either one of these conditions may feel agitated sometimes. However, only the individual with OCD will feel the need to arrange the objects in their home in a certain way. The fixation on germs or the desire to talk about the same subject over and over is also unique to OCD.
By contrast, a person with ADHD might demonstrate hyperactivity. They may also seem impulsive to someone who does not have the disorder. They might struggle to remain focused on one task. They will frequently abandon one activity and start another, leaving half-finished projects around the house.
How Can Someone with These Conditions Combat Them?
Individuals who receive either an OCD or an ADHD diagnosis should know that these are not conditions that will necessarily stop them from having a fulfilling life. There are milder cases of OCD, and there are ways of controlling it. You can also treat your ADHD, especially now that medical science has a better understanding of it.
Seeing a doctor who knows about these conditions is usually the first step for anyone who has received either diagnosis and feels their condition is negatively impacting their life. Medication is now available that can help, and sometimes, therapy and similar forms of counseling might be beneficial.
OCD and ADHD are both relatively common, and either one is usually controllable.
