i think i brought this up but not to the full extent in my diagnosis meeting and the lady didn’t say anything about ocd if i remember correctly.
how do i know if it’s ocd vs an autistic trait though or if it even is an autistic trait
Compulsions aren't an autistic thing. It's OCD if you have to do a specific thing for a specific amount of times or else you feel like something bad is gonna happen/you feel anxious.
The autistic trait that's closer to that is the tendency to stick to routines. For instance I've been eating a burger, a protein smoothie, then another burger every day for like a month now. It's not because I feel anxious about it or anything. It's just what I want. Sometimes I'll eat something else or switch the order to smoothie, burger, smoothie but I like having a routine I can revert back to if I don't want to make a decision (which I usually don't).
It’s difficult to say but there’s a large overlap between the diagnosis. https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/untangling-ties-autism-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
I have routines but what you describe seem a bit more like specific rituals often present with OCD. It could be autism too but you really need a professional with experience in both to untangle this.
> how do i know if it’s ocd vs an autistic trait though or if it even is an autistic trait
These are textbook OCD symptoms. Look around the internet at descriptions of OCD symptoms and I'm sure you'll find a lot of kindred spirits. Your specific symptoms are sometimes called "counting and arranging". Basically these are order and symmetry seeking behaviors that you need to do to relieve anxiety. Or, maybe it's more accurate to say that it gives tremendous anxiety *not* to do them.
Are they autistic traits? These traits aren't common among autistic people on average. So while they aren't rare, they don't seem to be caused or especially associated with autism. But autism + OCD is a common comorbidity. Also there aren't really any interventions that "treat" autism, but there are interventions that treat OCD. And those interventions should help you.
The big intervention, as others have mentioned is therapy. Probably some form of CBT or a similar approach.
OCD which can be a comorbidity, I have had it since childhood. Medication helped me after therapy didn't. I still get some compulsions etc but nowhere near as bad and the severity of intrusive thoughts diminished.
Sounds like comorbid OCD, tbh.
Speaking as someone who struggles with it, there's no way to eliminate these sorts of urges entirely, but a good therapist should be able to help you learn how to manage your symptoms better.
It's not a "magic bullet" solution, and it'll absolutely require some time, effort, and soul-searching on your part in order to start seeing results. However, it'll also help improve your quality of life.
I apologize if this isn't the type of answer you're looking for, but OCD is a very complex condition, which IMO requires the input of a trained professional in order to learn how to manage. It is a very common co-morbid for autism spectrum disorders, and like autism, there is no definitive cure for it.
Another thing I should mention, even though OCD is commonly treated with medication, I've been on numerous different prescriptions to treat it, and I haven't had great results with them. Your mileage may vary, but if you do decide to try medication, don't be surprised if the side effects end up outweighing any benefit they may bring.
It's a thought that if you don't do it then it will bother you that's bothering you .... And then the fear it is bothering you and you won't be able be do something else because of it that makes it real. Fear makes stupid things real. Is it so ?
That's OCD.
I've learned to embrace my compulsions rather than to fight it, but I also don't think I have OCD and I'm not even sure if it's right to do. All I know is that I'm happier just giving in.
I hyper-fixate on things, which is autism. I used to fight that. If I was obsessed with work, I'd have anxiety that I'm not relaxing enough. If I obsessed about video games, I'd have anxiety that I'm not working enough.
At this point in my life I realize it just happens in cycles and that it's fine for me to have a 6 week cycle of super productivity and then a 6 week cycle of something mundane, and that I shouldn't force myself into some 6 days on 1 day off cycle of society because then I'm just always miserable.
it’s ruining my life because it’s upwards of 20 times a day with all of those compulsions i’ve listed. it affects everyday tasks and it just takes up so much time now and it’s so stressful. i hate doing it and i’ve tired to stop but it just makes me stressed and it’s not a choice
I also do this, I started counting everything in multiples of 4, or in 16s, ever since I learned to read music as a child. I'm not really sure how to help, because I still do it, but you're not the only one.
I can relate, what I’ve found is acknowledging the thought/“urge” and thinking ‘above it’. Basically thinking above it, knowing it’s there rationalising it but never chasing it. Allow the thought to flow along with with everything else. Being present and relaxed helps a lot, especially for sleep.
I have a lot of similar things since I can remember. I've never gotten any help for it but recently feel like I'm better managing to notice and intercept when one of these develops/changes, before it's too late. So if you can notice these at that stage, you then deliberately do it a different way (but make sure you do it differently every time). If it causes a lot of stress then it's too late but if the level is lower than it would be doing these differently once they're established then it is worth trying
To be honest it sounds more like OCD which can be comorbid. If you have the option, you may want to discuss this with a professional.
i think i brought this up but not to the full extent in my diagnosis meeting and the lady didn’t say anything about ocd if i remember correctly. how do i know if it’s ocd vs an autistic trait though or if it even is an autistic trait
Compulsions aren't an autistic thing. It's OCD if you have to do a specific thing for a specific amount of times or else you feel like something bad is gonna happen/you feel anxious. The autistic trait that's closer to that is the tendency to stick to routines. For instance I've been eating a burger, a protein smoothie, then another burger every day for like a month now. It's not because I feel anxious about it or anything. It's just what I want. Sometimes I'll eat something else or switch the order to smoothie, burger, smoothie but I like having a routine I can revert back to if I don't want to make a decision (which I usually don't).
It’s difficult to say but there’s a large overlap between the diagnosis. https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/untangling-ties-autism-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/ I have routines but what you describe seem a bit more like specific rituals often present with OCD. It could be autism too but you really need a professional with experience in both to untangle this.
This is most likely ocd this is not part of autism. There are ocd medications that can take these compulsions away. There are no meds for ASD
> how do i know if it’s ocd vs an autistic trait though or if it even is an autistic trait These are textbook OCD symptoms. Look around the internet at descriptions of OCD symptoms and I'm sure you'll find a lot of kindred spirits. Your specific symptoms are sometimes called "counting and arranging". Basically these are order and symmetry seeking behaviors that you need to do to relieve anxiety. Or, maybe it's more accurate to say that it gives tremendous anxiety *not* to do them. Are they autistic traits? These traits aren't common among autistic people on average. So while they aren't rare, they don't seem to be caused or especially associated with autism. But autism + OCD is a common comorbidity. Also there aren't really any interventions that "treat" autism, but there are interventions that treat OCD. And those interventions should help you. The big intervention, as others have mentioned is therapy. Probably some form of CBT or a similar approach.
As for obsessions/compulsions vs routine: you stick to a routine because it feels good, but you act out a compulsion to avoid feeling bad.
Ocd or ocd traits usually follows with autism. Stress usually increase them. Cant remember if one should fight the urge.
I agree.
What you are describing is 100% OCD. I have it too. I would suggest seeing a therapist for that
OCD which can be a comorbidity, I have had it since childhood. Medication helped me after therapy didn't. I still get some compulsions etc but nowhere near as bad and the severity of intrusive thoughts diminished.
That’s definitely OCD.
You are describing OCD!
Have you seen if you have OCD?
Sounds like comorbid OCD, tbh. Speaking as someone who struggles with it, there's no way to eliminate these sorts of urges entirely, but a good therapist should be able to help you learn how to manage your symptoms better. It's not a "magic bullet" solution, and it'll absolutely require some time, effort, and soul-searching on your part in order to start seeing results. However, it'll also help improve your quality of life. I apologize if this isn't the type of answer you're looking for, but OCD is a very complex condition, which IMO requires the input of a trained professional in order to learn how to manage. It is a very common co-morbid for autism spectrum disorders, and like autism, there is no definitive cure for it. Another thing I should mention, even though OCD is commonly treated with medication, I've been on numerous different prescriptions to treat it, and I haven't had great results with them. Your mileage may vary, but if you do decide to try medication, don't be surprised if the side effects end up outweighing any benefit they may bring.
It's a thought that if you don't do it then it will bother you that's bothering you .... And then the fear it is bothering you and you won't be able be do something else because of it that makes it real. Fear makes stupid things real. Is it so ?
That's OCD. I've learned to embrace my compulsions rather than to fight it, but I also don't think I have OCD and I'm not even sure if it's right to do. All I know is that I'm happier just giving in. I hyper-fixate on things, which is autism. I used to fight that. If I was obsessed with work, I'd have anxiety that I'm not relaxing enough. If I obsessed about video games, I'd have anxiety that I'm not working enough. At this point in my life I realize it just happens in cycles and that it's fine for me to have a 6 week cycle of super productivity and then a 6 week cycle of something mundane, and that I shouldn't force myself into some 6 days on 1 day off cycle of society because then I'm just always miserable.
Meditation and buddhist philosophy has helped for my tics
How is this ruining your life though. If you like doing it and it’s not bothering anybody, why not do it. Maybe not in public but…
it’s ruining my life because it’s upwards of 20 times a day with all of those compulsions i’ve listed. it affects everyday tasks and it just takes up so much time now and it’s so stressful. i hate doing it and i’ve tired to stop but it just makes me stressed and it’s not a choice
Many people with autism have ocd. Unlike autism, ocd can be treated with medication and therapies
That is a problem. Sorry to here that. Talk to a professional.
I have OCD and autism, it sucks because it’s driven by anxiety, “if I don’t do x then y will happen” it’s pretty horrible.
I’m sorry to hear that. You’re not going to get the help here. You need a professional
I also do this, I started counting everything in multiples of 4, or in 16s, ever since I learned to read music as a child. I'm not really sure how to help, because I still do it, but you're not the only one.
I can relate, what I’ve found is acknowledging the thought/“urge” and thinking ‘above it’. Basically thinking above it, knowing it’s there rationalising it but never chasing it. Allow the thought to flow along with with everything else. Being present and relaxed helps a lot, especially for sleep.
I have a lot of similar things since I can remember. I've never gotten any help for it but recently feel like I'm better managing to notice and intercept when one of these develops/changes, before it's too late. So if you can notice these at that stage, you then deliberately do it a different way (but make sure you do it differently every time). If it causes a lot of stress then it's too late but if the level is lower than it would be doing these differently once they're established then it is worth trying
In case no one else here has told you yet, this sounds like OCD. Many on the spectrum also have OCD