Comorbidity between OCD and autism

Hi! I'm presently questioning if I may be autistic. I definitely have OCD. I'm an AFAB, genderqueer person and I know autism can manifest differently for "females". I have tried to read about ocd and autism but I can't find what I'm looking for. I feel like I understand autism and relate to multiple aspects of it, but I am specifically looking for unique experience of OCD and autism comorbidity. Like how can autism manifest differently in people with and without OCD. What are some unique traits in the comorbidity that can be overlooked by some professionals? How does the autistic+OCD experience can vary or differ that isn't typically attributed to autistic people? And how to identify if I'm autistic while there are things that can exist in both diagnosis? I want to hear from people with both diagnosis (or self-diagnosis) please and preferably people who were late-diagnosed. I would love to have some reading on studies that were made specifically to understand the unique aspects of comorbidity or maybe even YouTube channels from people speaking about the experience of the comorbidity/ the experience of late diagnosis of autism in OCD sufferers. Thanks a lot ❤️

messkat55

Date posted: 2y

I'm another person with late diagnosed autism. I am wondering more whether symptoms present differently for us.

chidi

Date posted: 2y

Yeah, it doesn't seem like it had been researched :(

Mimi33

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I too have been wondering the same thing and have been studying/ doing research on autism as well. I’m currently reading a book called “ I think I may be Autistic” and I can relate to quite a few traits. Im also looking for a therapist as im considering getting tested.

messkat55

Date posted: 2y

This article might be helpful. Not exactly what you are asking, but I don't think anyone sees OCD as looking different for autistic people. https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/untangling-ties-autism-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/

chidi

Date posted: 2y

Yeah! Thank you. I have read this one. This is actually what made me want to know more about it :)

Erick K

Date posted: 2y

I’m a OCD sufferer and not an expert on it, so take my comment as such. I think it’s dangerous to link your OCD with another condition. If you think ‘I’m autistic, therefore I have OCD’ you’re basically giving yourself an excuse. Also, I could be wrong but I think ‘comorbidity’ relates to physical health conditions that could be deadly. Probably not the best word to use when you need a positive mindset to fight OCD.

chidi

Date posted: 2y

Hi! I have OCD diagnosis since multiple years. I still struggle with a lot of unexplained problems and have observed that I relate to most of what I see from the late-diagnosed autistic community. I do not think I'm autistic because I have OCD or vice versa. Also, I am from the medical field and a French speaker. I have learned the word comorbidity in the context of mental health issues. To me, it doesn't have that negative meaning. It might not be up to date or the English way of saying it though. I feel a lot of judgment from your comment as if I haven't done any research on the matter and still trying to educate myself on it with this exact post. I suggest you ask questions rather than project that I give myself excuses. I might be interpreting it badly, but it feels very invalidating, as I feel with a lot of professionals already.

Mimi33

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

So I’ve found some information on Autism and OCD. People with OCD are actually 4x more likely to have Autism alongside the OCD.

chidi

Date posted: 2y

Yeah I've read about that. It makes me a lot more surprised that there isn't more research on how it manifests when having both conditions.

sr.ek

Date posted: 20w

Comorbidity OCD and BPD

Can anyone who is diagnosed with both OCD and BPD tell me a bit more about their experiences, especially when it comes to friendship and relationships?

finches

Date posted: 18w

anyone with autism + ocd?

so. oh lord. half my ocd symptoms could be autism. (not that im looking for a triple diagnosis including adhd, its just interesting to explore) this little ol rabbit hole started with my friend, who happens to be autistic and passionate about how their own condition works, when they started slowly easing the convo into an autism screening and by the time i realized what he was doing it was “oh my god ur kinda right i might be wrong for denying all this time that i could have autism” always thought my experience with texture/sensory as a toddler (and now) was ocd, because thats mainly what made adults call me ocd, more blatant ocd signs aside (such as touching things “just right”, ordering items etc) wondered why i was like that when theres not even a *direct* link between ocd and sensory issues (not the same as somatic ocd) thought i just happen to be an extremely sensitive person since i was born, now realizing that couldve been a sign of autism, along side many more “quirks” ive always had anyone with autism and ocd that can tell me what their experience is like? what about when u were children? especially if u snuck under the radar until u were older, my parents have said only a few times in the moment that i remind them of an autistic kid but dont think i have it

Order & Symmetry OCD

Ms.shelovesf...

Date posted: 15w

OCD + autism combo

I have experienced every theme that can be added to post but I’m currently experiencing those. So I am on the spectrum and I happen to have a high sensory profile and it definitely gives the ocd more to latch unto. I would see a pretty female with makeup done and it eatssss and I would notice the facial symmetry + how her features compliment each other and my ocd would be like why did you notice she is pretty, BECAUSE I HAVE EYES😭! I can’t be the only neurodivergent person that notices details and how attractive people are intensely? I do not even care about orientation but I know for sure if I was into women, it won’t just start plaguing me one evening Im my head shouting “you are gay” like man Im a female at least say you are a lesbian 😭😂😂😂😂. How can I genuinely have no interest and get outrightly repulsed by females sexually and romantically. It feels like I am being forced to be something im not. I tried accepting i am lesbian but I experienced more anxiety and could not sleep till I accepted i am still straight and it is ocd playing with me(ocd leave me alone, I don’t even enjoy playing with you) I accepted i am a lesbian like ocd said I should but why do I still love my ex and hope I marry him😭 + I couldn’t bring myself to be interested in females. OCD leave me alone because I don’t enjoy this game again! I’m not homophobic at all but denouncing Im straight doesn’t feel like home and I still find myself yearning for only men

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Comorbidity between OCD and autism

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