Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, have been known to occur together, increasing the difficulty of treatment. According to the National Mental Health Association, or NMHA, diagnosis of co-occurring disorders can be hard, but appropriate diagnosis is important to achieving successful treatment. It is imperative when seeking treatment to inform the therapist of all the symptoms and concerns.
Basics of ADHD
ADHD usually becomes apparent in young children and affects their ability to maintain their attention or control their activity levels. ADHD is present when a child is unable to sit still, is constantly disorganized or cannot control her impulses.
Basics of OCD
People with OCD are constantly experiencing obsessions such as fears of harming oneself or others, images of losing control, unwanted sexual thoughts or urges or moral or religious doubt, reports the NMHA. In order to keep these obsessions at bay, people with OCD engage in compulsions or rituals such as counting or repeated hand washing.
Symptoms
According to Kid'sHealth, the symptoms of OCD can include raw or chapped hands, high rates of soap usage, exceptionally long showers, a drop in grades, the need to have the same question repeated over and over, persistent fears or illnesses, constantly checking on things such as family members or door locks, a reluctance to leave the house and counting behaviors. According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs of ADHD include an inability to get and maintain organization, inability to remain on task, making careless mistakes, overlooking details, frequently losing or misplacing things, inability to sit still, fidgeting, interrupting others, talking non-stop and invading others' personal space.
Causes
There is some evidence that OCD results from a lack of effective communication between certain parts of the brain, reports the NMHA. The NMHA goes on to point out that an interaction between certain biological factors and environmental influences may cause OCD. The Mayo Clinic reports that there are several possible causes of ADHD, including altered brain function; the brain of a person with ADHD tends to show less activity in areas that control activity and attention. Other factors include a family history of ADHD, maternal smoking or drug use during pregnancy and exposure to environmental toxins, either in the womb or during childhood.
Treatment
According to the NMHA, treatment for OCD usually comes in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy in conjunction with medication. Often the therapist will use a specific type of behavioral therapy known as exposure and response prevention, notes the NMHA. In this treatment a person will be exposed to what triggers his obsessions, and will be taught ways to control his compulsions. Treatment for ADHD also combines both medication and behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy allows a person with ADHD to explore behavior patterns, learn new ways to deal with symptoms, get support and build social skills. The treatments for ADHD and OCD can occur at the same time and focus on many of the same skill-building activities. It is up to the patient's doctor and mental health professional to determine the appropriate use of medication.
