ADHD Experts Podcast 526- OCD in Children with ADHD: Navigating the Dual Diagnosis
Nov 5, 2024
In this discussion, Natalia Ayesa, a therapist and co-founder of the Kairos Wellness Collective, delves into the complexities of OCD in children diagnosed with ADHD. She dismantles common misconceptions, highlighting that avoidance is often the primary compulsion. By sharing personal anecdotes, Natalia illustrates the intertwined challenges of intrusive thoughts and anxiety. She emphasizes the need for specialized treatment strategies, including exposure response prevention therapy, to support neurodivergent children effectively.
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OCD Often Shows as Avoidance
- OCD often manifests as avoidance, not just fear of germs or hand washing.
- Children with OCD may avoid school due to anxiety about peer rejection or failure.
High OCD and ADHD Overlap
- Approximately 25% of children with OCD also have ADHD, a common dual diagnosis.
- ADHD and OCD share genetic and neurodevelopmental overlap, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
ADHD vs. OCD Executive Function
- ADHD and OCD affect executive function but differently: OCD causes executive overload from mental compulsions.
- Both disorders impair attention, impulsivity, and self-control but in distinct brain activity patterns.