Is OCD Neurodivergent?

Looking Into Neurodivergence and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There is a healthy debate happening among scientists about whether obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms should be considered typical or neurodivergent. While OCD involves atypical neurological processing, some argue that it differs from other conditions considered neurotypical, like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Regardless of whether OCD meets the criteria of the neurodiversity movement or not, seeking professional treatment options can support better mental health. The experienced team at Catalina Behavioral Health in Tucson can provide expert OCD treatment options that reduce the intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions common in obsessive compulsive disorder.

This page will help you better understand neurodivergent individuals and learn more about the connection between neurodivergent conditions and mental health.

OCD Is a Serious Mental Health Condition

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) calls OCD a mental health condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts, called obsessions, and repetitive behaviors called compulsions. It’s listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) as “Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders.: Each of those listed conditions can wreak havoc on one’s daily life.

OCD often causes people to experience stress and anxiety when driven to perform compulsive behaviours. They know the actions will only provide them with fleeting relief as they attempt to alleviate anxiety, but they do them anyway.

The cycle of obsessing and acting out compulsions can be time-consuming and significantly impact daily life. In the worst cases, it interferes with the individual’s ability to work, go to school, or have healthy social interactions. This mental health disorder often co-occurs with other conditions. Treating it requires professional care for OCD and any additional mental illness diagnoses.

Common Examples of Obsessive Thoughts and Resulting Compulsive Behavior

You might be familiar with these classic examples of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Each example listed below shows the insidious nature of obsessive compulsive disorder and why a healthcare professional is a must for recovery from the symptoms.

Fear of Contamination or Germs

The thought of a single germ may trigger anxiety. This obsession may involve excessive handwashing or sanitizing. The person may spend hours cleaning things.

Example: ‘Maria’ had lived with an anxiety disorder, but things had worsened during the pandemic. She’d become mortally afraid of viruses and cleaned her home from top to bottom every day. She continued even when her skin peeled from using undiluted cleaning chemicals.

Fear of Being Harmed

These thoughts include fearing thoughts about themselves or loved ones being harmed. They constantly check door locks, double-check that they turned off the iron, or watch their rearview mirror for threats while driving.

Example: ‘Jake’ had served on active duty in the US Army but received a medical discharge after receiving a traumatic brain injury. The trauma gave Jake an intense focus on personal safety. He checked his surroundings so often that he couldn’t function and lost his job.

Symmetry and Order Obsessions

People with OCD often have thoughts of orderliness. They constantly arrange and re-arrange objects until they’re perfectly symmetrical. This activity can take up much time and exacerbate symptoms if they don’t get things “just right.”

Example: ‘Mike’ believes the brain works best with complete symmetry. Every day, he meticulously arranges his desk before he can start working. He snaps at co-workers if they change the alignment and then spends hours restoring order before he can work again. He believes these obsessive behaviors will help manage his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Fear of Harming Others

Some with OCD believe they could inadvertently harm others. Although that intention is noble, they take it so far that it becomes an obsession. They will frequently ask friends or partners it they’ve accidentally harmed someone or caused them any distress.

Example: ‘Sandi’ worries almost non-stop that she might harm or offend someone. To relieve the anxiety of these thoughts, Sandi asks her partner, multiple times a day, if she’s hurt him. She becomes increasingly co-dependent on her partner, risking her relationship.

Intrusive Thoughts of Violence

Some people imagine mental acts of violence or harm to others. To avoid the perceived threat, they say certain mantras, pray or bargain with their God, or count objects to deal with the distressing thoughts.

Example: ‘Ashley’s’ mental illness means she has random thoughts of being a victim of a violent crime. She will often talk to herself, repeating her safety mantra – even in the safety of her own home. Ashley knows she’s risking her relationship but still can’t stop. Her girlfriend is not helpful or supportive and doesn’t understand the OCD symptoms and behaviors.

Fear of Making a Mistake

Some believe they will make an irreversible mistake. They try to avoid the anticipated error by repeatedly checking their work or reviewing paperwork to ensure they don’t spot any loopholes. They also seek frequent reassurance from others that their work is correct.

Example: ‘Marquel’ was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability, as a child. He knew he couldn’t read the same way as his classmates but learned to use technology to overcome reading challenges. Marquel’s fear of inaccuracy turned into OCD during college, and he fell far behind his peers without receiving appropriate support.

Fear of Loss of Control

Some with OCD believe that they’ll lose control and go to great lengths to avoid that powerless feeling. They start avoiding certain people or places that they believe could lead to a situation where they’re not in the figurative driver’s seat.

Example: ‘Janet’ had worked hard to keep her mood disorder in check. She feared losing control of her emotions so much that it became an unhealthy obesssion. She avoided other people to the extent of almost total self-isolation, triggering a relapse of her depressive symptoms.

In each of the above examples, you see a common thread. Neurotypical brains often struggle with relationships, employment, education, or additional mental illnesses. The key to managing anxiety in each example is treating OCD to restore a healthier balance.

Differences Between OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Understanding the differences between OCD and ASD, the best known of the neurodivergent conditions, explains why some researchers don’t describe people with OCD as neurodivergent.

ASPECT	ASD	OCD
Developmental Origin	ASD is similar to other neurodevelopmental conditions that appear in early childhood.	OCD is closer to mental health conditions that can develop at any age.
Key Characteristics	Usually, autistic people have less robust social communication skills and restricted or repetitive behaviors.	It leads to recurring obsessions and compulsive behaviors to ease uncomfortable or taboo thoughts.
Social Impacts	Autistic people face many social challenges, including reading body cues, making eye contact, or communicating.	OCD can impact social functioning but is driven by fear, anxiety, or trauma related to obsessive thoughts.
Sensory Processing	Autistic individuals have sensory sensitivities to sounds, lights, smells, or textures.	OCD and other types of mental health disorders may include some sensory sensitivities to a far lesser degree.
Repetitive Behaviors	Stimming -self soothing behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, or blinking.	Compulsive behaviors are directly related to their obsessive thoughts – cleaning, checking, and counting.
Neurological Differences	Autism spectrum disorder means atypical brain development and connectivity.	Obsessive-compulsive disorder means atypical function in the control and fear response brain regions.

So, is OCD considered neurodivergent? This chart helps you see the key differences and similarities between autistic people and those with OCD symptoms. There is enough overlap that some psychology experts see those with OCD or other forms of mental health issues and neurodivergent people.

Still, there are many differences that in brain function that leave OCD outside the neurodivergent umbrella.

Understanding Neurotypical Individuals’ Brain Function

Brain function differs in neurodivergent individuals. Typical brains develop without any imbalances of neurotransmitter brain chemistry, including serotonin levels which are critical to mood and behavior.

In the context of obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, people often experience executive functioning challenges. These impact their ability to make plans, control their impulses, or organize their thoughts.

Research published in the Harvard Business Review explains how understanding brain chemistry can help address these challenges.

The Gold Standard Treatment for People with OCD

Whether you consider OCD neurodivergent or a mental illness, the bottom line is the same. People experiencing OCD symptoms need to learn how to overcome their behavioral issues. Similar to the relationship between addiction and neurodivergence, the core issues is addressing the problematic behaviors that can be changed through effective approaches.

Clients at Catalina will receive individual and family therapy in a safe, supportive environment.

• Exposure and Response Prevention: This form of CBT gradually exposes OCD clients to situations that trigger anxiety that drives their obsessions while teaching them how they can resist compulsive behaviors. This is helpful in showing them how the anxiety that drives the OCD symptoms can decrease over time, offering them hope for recovery.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: ACT can be very effective in those who have both OCD and an anxiety disorder. It helps them accept their intrusive thoughts instead of fighting to eliminate them. This therapy focuses on equipping OCD clients to reduce avoidance behaviors and distress through its focus on mindfulness.
• Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: I-CBT was explicitly developed to help people who struggle with OCD. It targets the distorted thought patterns that lead to obsessions. The approach helps people recognize the fear or self-doubts that trigger OCD before the symptoms become compulsions.

Catalina offers the neurodivergent person – and others – a full continuum of care. No matter how severe or mild your symptoms are, we can customize a program that will equip you with the tools to manage your OCD.

Neurodivergent Individuals Can Get Effective Help at Catalina

Is OCD neurodivergent? Some scientists say yes, while others classify OCD differently. No matter what the label, we know that OCD can impact your quality of life in myriad ways. Catalina’s treatment professionals are compassionate, knowledgeable experts with experience treating OCD. Our expert team truly cares about your well-being.

If you’re ready to learn to minimize the intrusive thoughts and compulsions related to OCD, it’s time to the next step. Connect with our admissions team. They’ll take the time to get to know you and understand your situation fully. Then, they will call your insurance company to negotiate for the best treatment plan with the lowest possible out-of-pocket expenses.

The day to build a better future has arrived. Call Catalina Behavioral Health for a confidential consultation today.