ADHD, Autism, and OCD | Understanding the Overlap and Differences
This Venn diagram highlights shared traits like sensory sensitivity, executive dysfunction, and rigid routines, while also showing what’s unique to each condition. You can explore it further on Neurodivergent Insights.
I was diagnosed with OCD 25 years ago. Back then, there wasn’t much support or information, and like many people, I had to go searching online just to understand what it meant. That diagnosis gave me some answers, but over the years, I’ve continued to feel like something was missing.
Now, in my 50s, I’ve started the process of being assessed for Autism and ADHD. I don’t have a diagnosis yet — and to be honest, I’m not looking for a label. What I am looking for is understanding — a clearer picture of who I am and why certain things in life have always felt so difficult.
Looking back, I realise I’ve carried a lot of things quietly:
- Struggling with friendships and feeling unsure in social situations
- Short-term memory problems and difficulty staying focused
- Finding conversation hard, especially small talk
- Sensory issues, like not liking to get wet — showering has always been a challenge, and swimming at school made me feel exposed and uncomfortable
- A deep sense of feeling “different“ for as long as I can remember
- Being bullied, which only made that feeling worse
I was also diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia in my 40s. Again, those gave me pieces of the puzzle, but never the whole picture.
I’m now beginning to explore how OCD, Autism, and ADHD might overlap — and how they might explain some of the lifelong challenges I’ve faced. But I want to be clear:
I don’t want to be defined by a diagnosis.
I’m not looking for a label to wear. I just want to better understand how my brain works, and to help others who might be going through the same thing.
So, What’s the Link Between OCD, ADHD and Autism?
These three conditions are different, but they can share traits and often overlap in real life:
- OCD involves persistent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours, often rooted in anxiety.
- ADHD affects attention, impulsivity, and how people regulate time and emotion.
- Autism influences how someone processes the world — from social interaction to sensory input.
When you live with more than one of these, it can be confusing — especially if you’re diagnosed later in life. Some symptoms can look similar, even when they stem from completely different causes.
Why I’m Speaking Up
I’ve spent years thinking that the way I experience the world was somehow my fault — that I was “too sensitive,” “too awkward,” or just not trying hard enough to fit in.
But I’m learning that it’s just the way I am, and that’s okay.
I’m sharing this because I know there are others out there who feel lost, confused, or like they don’t quite belong. You don’t need to have a diagnosis to deserve understanding. And you certainly don’t need to wear a label to have your experiences taken seriously.
Everyone’s journey is different. Mine is still unfolding — but for the first time, it feels like I’m starting to understand myself, not through a diagnosis, but through compassion and curiosity.
1. Understanding the Crossover Between OCD, Autism, and ADHD
This article explains how these conditions frequently co-occur and why accurate diagnosis is so important. It’s great for clinical insight without being overly medical.
2. ADHD-Autism-OCD – Neurodivergent Insights
Dr. Megan Anna Neff uses a triple Venn diagram to show how traits overlap. It’s especially helpful for visualising shared experiences like sensory sensitivity, executive dysfunction, and hyperfocus.
3. ADHD, Autism, & OCD: Similarities & Differences – Simply Psychology
This piece explores how these conditions intersect and diverge, and how misdiagnosis or partial diagnosis can affect identity and support.
4. Autism and ADHD vs OCD – LA Concierge Psychologist
A deeper dive into the shared neurological roots and how overlapping traits can feel like “untangling a knotted thread.”
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