So far, there’s not any research on the difference between intrusive thoughts in ADHD and OCD in particular. However, a hallmark of OCD is obsessive thoughts followed by a compulsion as an attempt to manage those thoughts.
For instance, someone with OCD might experience obsessive thoughts about being exposed to bacteria. In order to combat this fear, they may wash their hands hundreds of times, stay inside, sanitize excessively, etc.
Someone with ADHD is less likely to experience the “compulsion” element of the condition or to perform a ritual aimed at soothing the obsessive trigger.
That being said, so far, intrusive thoughts have been studied much more extensively in OCD than ADHD. So, we still have much to learn in terms of the way these thoughts manifest in ADHD.
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