Dual Dilemma: Why Are Autistic Individuals More Prone to OCD? Psychologists Reveal the Inner World of Comorbid Patients

Dual Dilemma: Why Are Autistic Individuals More Prone to OCD? Psychologists Reveal the Inner World of Comorbid Patients

Comorbidity Phenomenon: Dual Challenges of Autism and OCD

Today let's discuss autistic patients with OCD comorbidity. Did you know? These comorbidities are quite common, bringing unique challenges to patients' lives.

For autism, about 1% of children get diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. It mainly features social communication differences and repetitive, restricted behaviors, interests, and activities (RRBI). OCD refers to daily obsessions and/or compulsions occupying over 1 hour.

Identity Differences: RRBI as Partner, OCD as Intruder

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 autistic adults having OCD symptoms and RRBI, finding three interesting and thought-provoking themes.

Autistic individuals feel RRBI is part of their identity, even helping manage anxiety—like "intimate partners." One patient said: "When doing stimming behaviors (RRBI), it feels like me, confirming who I am—I barely notice its changes as it's integrated into my life."

But their views on OCD differ completely—OCD is like an "unwanted guest," veryannoying. One described: "Autism is like an arena, OCD like a lion barging in—already scary enough in the arena, the lion makes it worse."

Cunning Utilization: How OCD Hijacks Daily Behaviors

Surprised? OCD actually "utilizes" RRBI—"hijacking" patients' daily behaviors, making normal behaviors more rigid.

For example, one patient normally checks cars when getting out (RRBI), but OCD worsens this behavior: "Car checking was routine, but obsessive thoughts and intrusive ideas make it more frequent/severe—like being controlled."

OCD also "targets" patients' interests, turning positive interests into distress. One patient interested in medicine (RRBI) found OCD causing excessive focus and unnecessary worries.

Masking Art: Similar Yet Different Social Masks

Patients mask RRBI and OCD symptoms, but reasons/methods differ. Masking RRBI often stems from societal prejudice—patients don't want to be viewed differently.

Masking OCD symptoms is about avoiding burdening others, wanting to appear "normal." One said: "People used to notice my OCD behaviors, but now I avoid detection—don't want to affect others, want to seem normal."

Inner Monologues: 15 Patients' Real Experiences

RRBI occurs automatically—patients don't need to think, it happens naturally. But OCD has strange "logic"—patients know it's irrational but hard to control.

Emotionally, both RRBI and OCD relate to anxiety. But RRBI can appear in various emotions, while OCD almost always accompanies negative emotions like fear, pain, panic.

Five Support Strategies: From Understanding to Professional Help

1. **Patient self-awareness**: Recognize differences between RRBI and OCD, accept RRBI as self-part

2. **Emotion management**: When OCD symptoms worsen, try relaxation methods like deep breathing, music

3. **Family understanding**: Learn more about autism/OCD knowledge, understand patients' feelings

4. **Behavioral inclusion**: When RRBI behaviors occur, don't forcibly stop—provide understanding andtolerance

5. **Professional help-seeking**: If OCD symptoms severely affect life, seek timely professional help

These firsthand interview insights from autism-OCD comorbid patients let us deeply understand their inner experiences. Hope we can provide more understanding and support, helping them bettercope withlifeinofvariouschallenge.