Even if they are both mental illnesses, OCD and ADHD are very different. The main differences can be found in the way these two disorders manifest.
ADHD symptoms includes hyperactivity, impulsivity and not being able to remain focused. While OCD regards the development of obsessive and compulsive behaviors, triggered by intrusive thoughts.
They both do affect the life quality of the patient and, if, not treated, will not allow him to lead a normal life. Just imagine not being able to concentrate, to lose focus or interest, or having the constant impulsion of doing something out of a sudden. Your friends and colleagues will notice something’s wrong with you.
Or if you always wipe your hands with sanitizer after each handshake. It will indeed make you look weird in everybody’s eyes.
How are OCD and ADHD affecting our lives?
First of all, being mental illnesses you can tell from the start that the average behavior will be affected. Individuals that suffer from OCD or ADHD are rarely dangerous, but they aren’t the easiest persons to have around either.
In the case of ADHD, one might have difficulties in completing their work or household tasks, will lose focus at work or school, and will have an almost constant state of hyperactivity. As a child, it will be a continuous struggle to keep him focused or at least calmed down, with the proper medication or guidance. As an adult, he needs to maintain the symptoms under control to be able to perform at work and to integrate with the society.
With OCD, this is a bit more severe. The symptoms of OCD are diverse and can get aggravated in time. It isn’t easy living with a person that believes his hands are never clean enough, that the house is always filled with bacteria. Or turns back home continuously because of the fear he left the oven on.
Probably just thinking about it gives you the shivers. But these people have the right to have a healthy life, so it is imperative a good doctor guides them. He will evaluate their OCD level of severity and will conceive a proper treatment.
Without a treatment, fears, obsession, the constant anxiety and stress given by them, will never allow that person to lead a normal life.
Which one is worst?
It is a very hard question to ask. No one wants to suffer from mental diseases, and there are undesirable in any way. Both OCD and ADHD can have severe sets of symptoms that can make the illness hard to handle.
But if I were to choose, probably ADHD is the easiest version. I would go insane having thoughts I do not want in my hand and to keep repeating the same type of behavior just to make those boogers go away.
Although, not being able to focus or to finish a started chorus can become quite frustrating, especially if you know you are an organized person.
Unfortunately, they are both permanent medical conditions of the brain. They cannot be undone, not even through surgery. Thus, the only way to have a normal life, being an OCD or ADHD patient, is to follow the advices given by your current doctor and as well your medication.
OCD and ADHD are both conditions about how the brain is functioning, not a removable tumor. So, no matter how different they both are, they are still something one has to manage for the rest of his life.
