The Odd Couple, Indeed: OCD and ADHD In Contrast

Jack Nicholson in "As Good As It Gets" or Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Aviator" — for too many people, these extreme examples epitomize OCD. But the reality is that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is seldom so easy to recognize and distinguish from other conditions like ADHD. Here are key distinctions.

by the editors of ADDitude

What is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neurological and behavioral condition characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While OCD is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD due to symptom overlap, it is possible to have both disorders. In fact, as many as 30–50 percent of people with ADHD also have related, comorbid conditions (such as OCD).
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