Is OCD Neurodivergent?

May 24

Written By A G

If you've been wondering whether your OCD makes you neurodivergent, you're asking a question that doesn't have a simple answer. If you’re thinking whether or not you’re OCD and also have neurodivergence, it is a common question because neurodivergence can overlap with other co-occurring disorders, and it may be hard to distinguish. Some people with OCD identify as neurodivergent, while others don't feel that label fits their experience. The choice is entirely yours, and it might depend on how OCD impacts your daily life, relationships, and sense of who you are.

We're living in a time where there's growing understanding and acceptance of people who think, learn, and process the world differently. The neurodiversity movement has opened up conversations about celebrating these differences rather than trying to "fix" them. But we still have a long way to go in creating truly inclusive spaces and breaking down stigmas that affect neurodiverse people.

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Understanding Neurodivergence

The whole concept of neurodivergence is fascinating once you start exploring it. At its heart, it’s about recognizing that there isn’t just one “normal” way to think, learn, or move through the world. Everyone’s brain works a little differently — and that’s not just okay, it’s part of what makes us human.

The idea of neurodiversity came from Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist who coined the term back in the 1990s. She wanted to create a way to talk about people whose brains function differently — like those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and so on — without labeling them as broken or in need of fixing. Instead, she saw these differences as differences, not deficits.

Since then, the concept has taken off. It’s helped shift how we think about everything from school and therapy to the workplace. Instead of trying to force everyone to fit the same mold, more people are asking: “What would happen if we created environments that support different ways of thinking?”

That’s the power of the neurodiversity movement. It reminds us that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to being human. Some people thrive in structure. Others need movement or silence or time to hyperfocus. None of these things make someone less capable or less valuable. They just need the right support and understanding.

So when we talk about being neurodivergent, we’re really talking about embracing the full range of how people experience the world — and making space for that, rather than trying to fix it.

What OCD Looks Like

Let’s talk about what OCD involves — because honestly, there are still so many myths floating around. Most of us have heard people casually say things like “I’m so OCD” because they like their desk tidy or color-code their planner. But that’s not OCD. Not even close.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a real mental health condition that goes way deeper than being neat or organized. It’s about intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause a ton of anxiety, and repetitive actions (compulsions) that people feel driven to do in order to try and get some relief from that anxiety. And we're not talking a few minutes here or there. People with OCD can spend hours each day stuck in these mental loops.

The obsessions can be incredibly distressing and are not always about germs or cleanliness. They’re often about things that feel disturbing or completely out of character, like fears of accidentally harming someone, intrusive sexual or violent thoughts, or fears about morality or religion. These thoughts are often so upsetting that people don’t even want to talk about them, which fuels the cycle of shame and silence.

The following compulsions might look like washing your hands a hundred times daily, re-checking the stove even though you already know it’s off, or tapping something until it “feels right.” But not all compulsions are visible. Some people do mental rituals, like silently repeating phrases, counting, or trying to “cancel out” a bad thought with a good one. And if they resist the compulsion? The anxiety can skyrocket.

OCD can also show up in ways people don’t expect. For example, it might involve a sensory need for things to feel or sound “just right.” Or lead someone to avoid entire places or people out of fear of triggering an obsessive thought. It can be downright exhausting. And because OCD is so persistent, it can seriously impact work, relationships, and everyday routines.

What makes it even harder is the emotional weight people carry with it — things like shame, isolation, and depression. Many folks with OCD know their thoughts aren’t rational, but that doesn’t make the anxiety go away. That’s what sets OCD apart from quirks or preferences: it’s not something you can just "snap out of." OCD is treatable. With the right kind of support — usually therapy like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — people really can learn to manage symptoms and take back their time, energy, and peace of mind. But it starts with more honest conversations and way less stigma.

The Case for OCD as Neurodivergent

So let’s talk about where OCD fits into the neurodivergent world, because it’s a question that’s been coming up more and more — and it makes total sense.

Even though OCD isn’t always included in the typical list of neurodivergent conditions like autism or ADHD, a lot of people feel like it belongs in that conversation. And honestly? There are some really solid reasons why.

First off, OCD isn’t just about habits or quirks — it’s rooted in real, noticeable differences in how the brain works. We’ve got brain imaging studies that show this. People with OCD tend to have differences in areas of the brain like the orbitofrontal cortex and striatum — which are all involved in decision-making, emotional regulation, and that stuck feeling when something doesn’t feel “right.” So yeah, when someone says OCD is “in your head,” they’re more correct than they realize — but not in the way they usually mean.

It’s also highly genetic. OCD tends to run in families, which means it’s not just random or something you did “wrong” — it’s a variation in how some brains are wired. And that idea — that brain differences are just part of the natural diversity of being human — is a huge part of how we talk about neurodivergence.

And here’s the part that doesn’t get enough attention: people with OCD often have some amazing strengths. We’re talking intense focus, attention to detail, deep problem-solving skills, and the ability to notice patterns or spot issues other people totally miss. Sure, when those strengths are paired with intrusive thoughts or compulsions, things can get really overwhelming — but that doesn’t make those strengths any less real.

For a lot of folks, identifying as neurodivergent feels more accurate and empowering than just saying “I have a disorder.” It gives people language to say, “Hey, my brain works differently. It’s not bad or broken — just different. And yeah, sometimes it’s hard. But it also comes with some unique ways of thinking and seeing the world.”

So, does OCD count as neurodivergent? For many people — absolutely. And claiming that identity can feel like a huge relief. It helps shift the story from “What’s wrong with me?” to “This is part of who I am, and I’m learning how to work with it — not against it.”Why Some People Disagree

Not everyone agrees that OCD belongs under the neurodivergent umbrella, and their perspectives make sense too. Traditional medical approaches have long viewed OCD primarily as a mental health condition that causes distress and needs treatment. From this angle, the focus remains on symptom reduction and functional improvement rather than accommodation and acceptance.

There's also the fact that OCD can be episodic in ways that other neurodivergent conditions typically aren't. While autism or ADHD are generally consistent lifelong traits, OCD can have periods of remission and flare-ups. Some people experience relatively mild symptoms that don't significantly impact their daily functioning, while others might go through intense periods followed by times when OCD barely affects them at all.

The Overlap with Other Conditions

Here’s where things start to get really interesting — and honestly, a little more relatable for a lot of people.

OCD doesn’t usually show up all by itself. It actually has a lot of overlap with other conditions that are already seen as part of the neurodivergent community, like ADHD and autism. For example, research shows that around 11.8% of people with OCD also have ADHD — and that number’s even higher for kids and teens. And get this: people with OCD are 13 times more likely to also be autistic compared to people without OCD. That’s a pretty strong connection.

So what does that mean? It suggests that OCD might not be this totally separate thing — it might be part of a bigger picture. When we look at how it often shows up alongside other neurodivergent traits, it becomes clear that OCD might be another way a differently wired brain experiences the world.

Take autism, for example. A lot of autistic folks have routines or repetitive behaviors — and sometimes those can look similar to OCD. But the motivation is usually different. With OCD, the behaviors are driven by anxiety, like “If I don’t do this, something bad might happen.” With autism, those same behaviors might be about comfort, predictability, or sensory regulation. Still, there’s enough overlap that the lines can get blurry — and sometimes people end up misdiagnosed or misunderstood.

Then there’s ADHD, which brings in things like difficulty with focus, impulsivity, and executive function. When you mix that with OCD’s looping thoughts and compulsions, things can get tricky. Someone might obsessively worry about forgetting something, but also have trouble following through or staying organized — it can feel like your brain is working against itself.

And beyond that, anxiety and depression are incredibly common with OCD. A 2021 study found that around 69% of people with OCD have at least one other mental health condition, and anxiety and mood disorders are at the top of that list. Lately, there’s been more conversation around looking at those conditions through a neurodivergent lens too — meaning we’re not just labeling them as “disorders” but as different ways the brain responds to stress, sensitivity, or emotional overwhelm.

So when someone with OCD says they identify as neurodivergent, it’s not just a label — it’s a way to make sense of their experience. It helps shift the story from “something’s wrong with me” to “my brain works differently, and that’s okay.” It’s not always easy — but it can be a much more compassionate and accurate way to understand yourself.

How This Perspective Can Help

Even if OCD isn’t officially labeled as neurodivergent, looking at it that way can be really helpful — and honestly, kind of healing. For a lot of people, it takes some of the pressure off. Instead of feeling like there’s something “wrong” or broken, it becomes more about, “Okay, my brain works a little differently — and that’s just part of who I am.” That shift in perspective can make a huge difference in how someone relates to themselves.

When we look at OCD through a neurodivergent lens, we also start to recognize the strengths that can come with it. You’re not just being dramatic or anxious, you’re trying to protect the people and things you care about. That’s not a flaw. It’s a sign of how deeply you care. This way of thinking helps people feel less alone. There’s something really powerful about finding community with other neurodivergent folks — people who just get what it’s like to have a brain that’s always going, always checking, always questioning. You don’t have to explain or defend your experience. You can just be yourself, quirks and all, and feel accepted.

It’s not about trying to erase OCD. It’s about understanding it and yourself with a little more kindness and a lot less shame.

Making It Work in Real Life

From a practical standpoint, thinking about OCD as part of neurodivergence can actually make life a lot more manageable.

When you start to understand how your brain works — what helps, what doesn’t, where you get stuck — it becomes so much easier to speak up for what you need. This kind of self-awareness can lead to real shifts in how you move through the world. You stop beating yourself up for needing routine or getting overwhelmed easily, and instead, you start to work with your brain, not constantly against it. That alone can make daily life feel less frustrating and more supportive.

There are treatment takeaways here, too. Traditional OCD therapy often focuses on reducing symptoms — and that’s important. But a neurodiversity-friendly approach also makes space for your strengths. Maybe you’re incredibly detail-oriented. Maybe your brain is wired to think deeply and anticipate problems before they happen. Therapy can help you learn how to manage what’s hard without losing the parts of your mind that actually serve you.

So no, embracing this perspective doesn’t mean ignoring your symptoms or skipping treatment. It just means taking a more whole-person approach — one that says, “There’s nothing wrong with how your brain is built. Let’s figure out how to support it.”

How We Can Help

Seeing OCD as part of neurodivergence can be empowering. It helps you understand that your brain just works differently, and that’s not a bad thing. Once you know that, asking for what you need is easier. It also helps you be a little kinder to yourself. Things like needing routine or getting overwhelmed by sudden changes aren’t personal failures — they’re just part of how your brain is wired. And when you stop fighting that and start working with it, life feels a little more manageable.

Even in therapy, this perspective can help. It’s not just about reducing symptoms — it’s about understanding your strengths and building tools that fit you. Because you’re not broken. You’re just different. And that difference deserves to be understood and supported.