ADHD and OCD are different conditions, yet they can look similar at times because they affect some of the same brain systems. In this post, we explore what the ADHD-OCD overlap is, how the drivers behind OCD and ADHD behaviours differ, and what it’s like to live with both.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that creates issues with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There isn’t a single “ADHD presentation” that’s the same for everyone – different combinations of traits appear in different individuals. For example, some people with ADHD may have more inattentive traits, while others may be more hyperactive.
ADHD is a disorder of executive function. This means people with ADHD find it harder to self-regulate, plan, prioritise, and manage time.
In the workplace, ADHD may present as:
You can find out more about ADHD at work in our blog: A Guide to ADHD in the Workplace.
OCD is a mental health condition characterised by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts or images that cause significant anxiety, while compulsions are the repetitive physical or mental acts people use to try to reduce the anxiety or prevent bad things from happening.
In the workplace, OCD can manifest as:
Although ADHD and OCD can create behaviours that look similar, the reasons behind them are different in each condition. We can better understand the difference by looking at the brain’s inhibitory control. This is how easy it is for someone to pause and override an unhelpful thought or response.
When it comes to decision-making, people with ADHD often struggle with decision paralysis due to too much external stimuli. The brain may jump to a conclusion impulsively to end the discomfort of choice.
In OCD, it’s less about decision paralysis and more about doubting the decision. OCD brains can get stuck in a loop of “what if”, requiring 100% certainty before proceeding.
In ADHD, there’s often a reduced sensitivity to risk because the brain prioritises immediate dopamine rewards over long-term consequences.
In OCD, it tends to be the opposite. There’s often an aversion to risk. This causes the brain to become hyper-vigilant, scanning for potential errors or threats to prevent harm.
For people with ADHD, tasks may remain unfinished due to distraction or boredom. Once the initial novelty wears off, the executive system struggles to maintain momentum.
In OCD, this delay in completing tasks is more likely due to perfectionism. An individual may become stuck on a single detail, unable to move forward until it feels “just right”.
Despite their differences, both ADHD and OCD involve the frontostriatal circuits. These are the areas of the brain responsible for planning and switching attention. This creates shared traits, such as:
To the untrained eye, these traits can look similar. That’s why it’s so important to seek professional help if you’re struggling to understand your own behavioural patterns.
It’s hard to say for sure how many people with ADHD also have OCD; however, research suggests that comorbidity lies somewhere between 11.8% and 30%.
If you’re living with both OCD and ADHD, it can create a confusing, contradictory internal experience. For example, you may feel impulsive due to ADHD, yet simultaneously feel a need to be rigid and check things for safety.
In the workplace, this can lead to masking behaviours, such as leaning on OCD-related checking to compensate for ADHD-related forgetfulness or over‑structuring your workflow to counteract ADHD‑related disorganisation. While this may initially result in high-quality work, it carries a high risk of burnout due to the intense psychological pressure involved. This is why it’s so important to get support from someone you trust, who can help you find strategies to cope.
Yes. You can have ADHD and OCD at the same time. When a person has both, symptoms can sometimes mask each other, making the diagnosis more complex. Specialists often look at the motivation behind a behaviour (e.g. seeking a reward vs. avoiding a threat) to distinguish between the two.
Not automatically; however, both ADHD and OCD can be classed as disabilities under the Equality Act 2010 if they have a substantial and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Managing comorbid OCD and ADHD usually involves psychological therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and, in some cases, medication. However, stimulants used for ADHD can sometimes exacerbate the anxiety symptoms of OCD, so a personalised approach is usually recommended.
Individuals with neurodivergence and/or long-term mental health conditions are entitled to reasonable adjustments in the workplace. This may include assistive technology to aid with executive functioning, environmental changes to manage sensory overload, and communication adjustments to create clarity. Some workplaces may also provide employees with counselling via Employee Assistance Programmes.
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