ASD and OCD, How common is having both?

McG said:

I am slightly confused as I feel they kinda counter act against the other, giving me the feeling that I could have either, neither... or both?

The distinction is explained well here:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/mental-health/ocd

'However, there is an important difference between the two. Obsessions and compulsions for people with OCD are distressing and unwanted, whereas repetitive behaviours for autistic people, such as stimming and intense interests, are often positive, soothing and purposeful.'

I haven't been diagnosed with OCD but I have had it since a young child.

B said:

Obsessions and compulsions for people with OCD are distressing and unwanted, whereas repetitive behaviours for autistic people, such as stimming and intense interests, are often positive, soothing and purposeful.'

That’s the key distinction that was glossed over when I was misdiagnosed with OCD years ago, even though I said at the time I enjoyed doing the behaviours.

ArchaeC said:

That’s the key distinction that was glossed over when I was misdiagnosed with OCD years ago, even though I said at the time I enjoyed doing the behaviours.

I wonder if that is related to a newer view of what autism is these days than in the past so a correct diagnosis wasn't made which (hopefully) might be made now  

I also went through NHS CBT for anxiety and also Exposure Response Prevention which is used to treat OCD, but my therapist could not give me an OCD diagnosis, nor did she seem to pick up on the Autism as that wasn't discussed.

I suppose the therapy acted as a treatment for the here and now and how one navigates themselves without actually knowing what the underlying issue really is.

Thanks B. 

As it was for many, finding home was finding peace.

Oh dear.

Sorry you suffered all that A.

I am glad that you finally found home.

The newer view of ASD was in place when I was diagnosed with OCD. The diagnosis was made by a hospital psychologist to whom my psychiatrist had referred me for CBT within the same NHS hospital.

Although I went through weeks of therapy at the hospital initially for anxiety then for ‘obsessions’, I only found out when I was referred for an autism assessment that my GP had no note of my treatment for OCD at the NHS hospital, and lots of my other records from the hospital went missing. It’s too long a saga to explain here but nobody can explain why it wasn’t recorded. 

I’m not even sure now if a psychologist who is doing CBT is allowed to officially diagnose OCD.

The newer view of ASD was in place when I was diagnosed with OCD. The diagnosis was made by a hospital psychologist to whom my psychiatrist had referred me for CBT within the same NHS hospital.

Although I went through weeks of therapy at the hospital initially for anxiety then for ‘obsessions’, I only found out when I was referred for an autism assessment that my GP had no note of my treatment for OCD at the NHS hospital, and lots of my other records from the hospital went missing. It’s too long a saga to explain here but nobody can explain why it wasn’t recorded. 

I’m not even sure now if a psychologist who is doing CBT is allowed to officially diagnose OCD.

I also went through NHS CBT for anxiety and also Exposure Response Prevention which is used to treat OCD, but my therapist could not give me an OCD diagnosis, nor did she seem to pick up on the Autism as that wasn't discussed.

I suppose the therapy acted as a treatment for the here and now and how one navigates themselves without actually knowing what the underlying issue really is.

Thanks B. 

As it was for many, finding home was finding peace.

Oh dear.

Sorry you suffered all that A.

I am glad that you finally found home.