OCD and Its Connection to Autism - NEW Research Study

[@TenguXx]

I'm autistic and I've seen an OCD specialist, and one of the things she really emphasized is that autism and OCD both have rituals and routines, but the difference is that autistic routines are functional, meaning they serve a useful purpose even though that purpose may not make sense to other people. OCD routines are more anxiety-based and disconnected from reality, like feeling an intense need to prevent something that is unlikely to happen anyway. The podcast The OCD Stories is pretty helpful if you want more information.

[@Cerebrum123]

So there is a good chance I have both then. The diagnosis fairy didn't skimp on me apparently.

[@TenguXx]

@@Cerebrum123 Same; I have ADHD as well. But OCD is much more common than most people realize, and the treatment for it - Exposure and Response Prevention, or ERP - is one of the most successful treatments in all of psychiatric medicine, and works relatively quickly.

[@Cerebrum123]

@@TenguXx That is interesting. I didn't know that. I think there is a chance I have all three but only autism has been confirmed with a diagnosis. I'll have to look into ERP. Supposedly my neuropsychologist ruled out ADHD but a part of me wonders if my autism was masking it. They only did one test that seemed to be related to ADHD. I had to click a spacebar whenever an X appeared on a laptop for a certain duration.

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

​@@TenguXxI have Body Dismorphic Disorder, & no ERP helped in the least little bit.

[@TenguXx]

@@Timbothruster-fh3cw I'm sorry to hear that. I would have thought that Body Dismorphic Disorder was different from OCD, unless they both involve Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors/BFRBs. I've had a little trouble with BFRBs, but not enough for me to spend a lot of time on them. I also didn't see any improvement with them through ERP. My therapist told me that there is a different treatment for BFRBs, although I don't know anything about it.

[@summermazur3064]

I have both OCD and autism. I find that it's very easy to tell the difference between the two in my life. There is nothing enjoyable about OCD. Autism for me involves obsessive-compulsive traits that feel good to do. OCD is just a horrid mess of guilt and anxiety.

[@Catlily5]

My special interests can become torturous.

[@narushini704]

I agree (therapist working with people with OCD). We do have some autistic people every now and then but the difference seems to be about the goal. OCD = obsessive-compulsive behavior that they feel the need to do in order to get rid of unwanted aka "negativly" percieved emotions (goal: reducing the negative emotions, but that only works for a short time). Autistic = obsessive-compulsive behavior that is satisfying and makes them feel happy, relaxed or good (goal: it induces positive emotions for a relativly long time).

[@jimwilliams3816]

@narushini704 I find there is a spectrum of sorts for me, which I think may relate to a baseline of hypothymia. I can get a certain amount of elation out of special interests, but it doesn’t appear to be comparable to what a lot of autistic people experience, and well shy of the hypomania that a lot of ADHDers report from their hypofocus (I’m diagnosed both, plus GAD). I can pivot into relatively unpleasant compulsive feelings fairly quickly. That said, I agree with you: for a while, I was experiencing intense, negative compusive feelings of the kind I’ve seen people with OCD describe, and it was a whole other thing, truly awful, a feeling of complete lack of control over my mind. Similar to the difference between persistent low level depression and a major depressive episode. Which is why I would say I have significant compulsive behavior, but not OCD.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

That's more or less my observation. Before I was treated enough for the OCD to be a minor inconvenience, I had that, and I pretty definitely am autistic, although getting a mental health provider to diagnose it has been a challenge. (probably because of the OCD, ADHD and the possible savant memory capabilities) But, that's more or less exactly my experience, the OCD compulsions are about getting away from that anxious feeling and the ASD RRB are more about the positive benefits that come with it. In other words, OCD seems to be more of a negative reinforcement thing and ASD tends to involve more positive reinforcement of the RRB.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@narushini704 That's certainly how it feels to me. OCD compulsions back before I was treated were about getting rid of the negative emotions, and the ASD stimming is something that I just enjoy because it feels so good and seems to help my brain work better. I think it's more or less the difference between positive and negative reinforcement.

[@DanniBby]

The thought process “if this happens then that happens” sums up my entire life lmao it’s also the simplest way to explain how autistic people are good at pattern recognition and can even be the best at what looks like predicting the future based on what they recognize in the patterns of human behavior and the environment around them.

[@kawag6356]

So true, same here

[@lynn2860]

You just described an INTJ.

[@kawag6356]

@@lynn2860 what is that?

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

You know those mindmaps we used to do for school? That is literally how my brain works 😂

[@aspiringalchemist8398]

@@kawag6356 it’s a personality type from the Myers Briggs personality inventory

[@saml4004]

THE COUNTING!!! I didn’t realize other people did that too! When I’m petting my cat or drinking water or something, I’m counting. It’s so second nature sometimes I’m not even aware my mind is doing it!!

[@RMedich]

I count pool lengths… even though my watch is doing it for me 😂

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

For me it's counting my footsteps while I'm walking.

[@mizotter]

Harm Police Squad member here! My children are 40 and 38, but from the moment I learned of my 1st pregnancy, I was ON IT! I learned all I could about potential dangers to my children and obsessed over getting them safely through childhood. When we moved to the town where I would start my teaching career, where I could obsess over the well-being of hundreds of children (!), I began to have nightmares where my children were trapped in a burning building and needed me to save them. The terrors of parenting have less of a grip on me now, but FEAR that my children are in danger sometimes shows up at 2 a.m., even though I'm approaching 60 and should probably fear for my own safety! As a teacher researcher, I became locally famous at the uni for my systematizing skills! I loved teaching other researchers about methods of organizing and analyzing data! LOL!

[@LuLzHQ]

It sounds like you really love your kids!

[@mizotter]

@@LuLzHQ I really love humanity!

[@lauralea8396]

Lily kippppp

[@lisawillis3]

I had weird phobias when my kids were little; fear of them being backed over by a vehicle, suffocating, and I had intrusive thoughts after birth. It was awful!

[@GlasPthalocyanine]

I really struggled to turn off the hypervigilance when the kids were little. I'd watch them sleeping but would also wake them up in the middle of the night to play, and also so I could settle and get some sleep, too. The intrusive thoughts were horrible. I still have those thoughts. Once we were crossing the high street and I grabbed my daughter's hand to lead her safely through traffic. She broke loose and told me that was completely over the top considering she was in her early 30s. I still have those 2am moments but now that includes the grandchildren. I know the kids think I'm nuts. I get what you're saying about data (

[@catherinethiemann9760]

I contacted the lead researcher on the study you mentioned. He requires a formal diagnosis of autism in order for a person's responses to be include with other autistic respondents. Since I am self-identified, my responses would be lumped in with neurotypical. I respectfully let him know I would not be participating, since my responses would muddy his data. You may want to let your audience know about this (in my opinion) flaw in the research plan.

[@oOneszaOo]

who is the researcher? is it Simon Baron-Cohen?

[@catherinethiemann9760]

No, it s a doctoral student whose name escapes me now. Not someone well known.

[@s.KatjaB]

I'm self identified too, but on this short questionaire I somehow only scores 5, which I find so weird, because on all the other questionaires I did before I scored very highly.

[@delphinebez3045]

Orion, past relationships before diagnosis would be a great topic. How we deal with the realisation that autism/ADHD did make us somehow attractive, then impossible to be with. The loss, when you go back in time. It's one of the first things I had to deal with after being diagnosed. Pretty sure everyone relates to this 😊

[@Ruyolr]

Wow never thought about it like this, thank you for the insight

[@mtsanri]

Yes, I think this is a thing! Thanks for the insight. I've grieved many a time.

[@spaghetto9836]

I get what you mean, lol. The "mysteriousness" & "allure" of either not being fully present or not caring, doing your own thing, your assertiveness in opinion, observation/people-watching skills, how being passionate about a field is seen as hot, the weird side of you being seen as "quirky", etc. But then, long-term, you're disorganized, or too organized to the point of being a control freak, or you & your partner communicate too differently, or you not being fully present (or your fixation) becomes a problem. I've never been in a relationship, just guessing 😂. But you'd already have to be somewhat physically attractive for this to work. I think my ideal partner would be ND, since I already gravitate towards that platonically & want someone who shares my general experiences. What do you think about relationships where you're both ND?

[@delphinebez3045]

I guess I wouldn't be into it, since sameness is unattractive to me. But I've dated a Bipolar man for years. Was very difficult though.....

[@cttate]

This was so incredibly eye opening. Since childhood I've counted all my steps, all my repetitions of anything, been extremely avoidant of certain things due to contamination (immediately having to wipe my face after a kiss as just one example), had to use certain numbers for any and all volumes that have numerical values assigned, as well as a slew of other OCD/Autism symptoms and behaviors. I somehow made it through all of my childhood without a whiff of a diagnosis and it wasn't until my younger brother was diagnosed in his early 20s that I even thought seriously about the possibilities. I had simply been masking for so long at that point that I didn't bother to consider that everyone else wasn't doing the same and didn't have the same thought processes and stipulations. Thank you as always for your content, it has helped immensely in understanding and properly working with everything that I've been going through. I told my wife that the first video of yours I saw made me feel as if someone was explaining how my own brain worked to me and I was finally starting to get it.

[@taoist32]

It’s easier as an adult to notice what we did as kids. Our brains are more developed and self awareness is high. I also counted everything in my mind without having any reason to do so. Counting steps, counting dishes, counting silverware, counting how many times the dog did number 1 and 2, counting how many ages I have read while flipping the pages (stimming), counting how many red, blue, yellow, green, brown, black, and gray cars are around me. It gets tiring, but it happens every day. I also repeat phrases in my head all the time, sometimes rhyming phrases I make up. As a kid and a young adult I never thought I was neurodivergent/autistic since I never heard those words before, not even in college as a psych major. I’m now approaching my 50’s, and the last few years of reading and research opened my eyes to what I am.

[@LinguaLinguistics]

Right I just assumed everybody thought the way we did but now knowing I'm an audhd with ocd I'm realizing my mind has no NT traits at all. It's a relief really , but I masked so much that it took 35 years.

[@whitneymason406]

I was misdiagnosed with OCD as a teen long before I got my autism diagnosis. Fascinating, thanks for sharing!

[@AngieDeAguirre]

YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!! New Orion video!!!!! I was waiting for a new upload. I wanted to ask you if you think it would be a good idea to make a video about Autistic people that had been raised by narcissists (parents/guardians, or whatever). As an Autistic woman raised by my narcissist parents, I feel that my mask is very much attached to my flesh, since I had to do my absolute best to try and read my parents expressions so I don't upset them (which happened anyways). They never allowed me to be anything else than what they wanted me to be. They shamed, slapped, insulted the real me at every turn. That's how I went undiagnosed till I was 31 y/o. They just neglected me and my sister and used us to be their maids... they never understood my burnout (which was constant), they wanted me to be a college student, enter the workforce and be their maid, all at the same time... I ended up with cptsd, anxiety, depression, and I'll never recover the three decades of my life they stole. And reading the comments, I know I am not the only one that had to deal with this. I'd appreciate if you can make a video about it, and If you can't I'll keep appreciating you eitherways, since you are such a good educator. Thank you very much Orion! For all your good work here in youtube (and other places too).

[@wb7063]

Yes I relate to this so much! I would love a vidoe like this. I grew up not being able to be myself around my mother who was an abusive narcissist and the masking got so bad to the point that it would change with every person I was around. It was like I was putting a new face on for everyone i met and not in the "I'm different around my friends than with adults" kind of way. I acted the way I thought people expected me to and did or said things that I knew were not genuine but it was something I did automatically without thinking. After the fact, I would just be confused and couldn't understand why I would do things like ask questions I already knew the answer to. It was probably partly the cause of an old habit of playing dumb or like I didn't notice things. I realized from a young age that people didn't seem to like it when they knew you were smarter then them or when you were too observant of or could predict their behaviors.

[@AngieDeAguirre]

@@wb7063 I feel you. That's exactly what happened to me. I thought I was going crazy. I couldn't understand why EVERYTHING I did was wrong. Is like Nobody understand that type of abuse, that type of "taking advantage out of every fiber of your being". I hope you are healing now. I know I'm trying.

[@littl_late]

I am in the same boat and would appreciate a video on the subject as well

[@Catlily5]

My mother was abusive and has some narcissistic traits but I have come to realize that she is actually an unhealthy autistic person.

[@spaghetto9836]

The not understanding (guilt-tripping you for) burnout or shutdowns, & thinking hypervigilance is just empathy hits harder than my parents did 💀. In fact, I have a theory that since the disabled are more likely to suffer abuse of any kind & abuse leads to hypervigilance, that's part of why we have this internal, silent reading of people's moods. It's just that we rarely know what to do with them. In a way, being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world is like a constant state of waiting for the other shoe to drop (pun intended..?).

[@vaibhavkumar8726]

"if this happens, then that happens"-is a concept relevant both in Autism and OCD. It's called Systemising. "If"(input) "and"(action), "then"(output). In autism, systemizing (if-and-then) is often rooted in a genuine desire for understanding, predictability, and comfort. In OCD, systemizing is more focused on avoiding harm or negative outcomes and is driven by anxiety and irrational fears. In OCD, systemizing is emotionally charged, and compulsions are performed to reduce anxiety. In autism, systemizing is often neutral or calming, helping the individual make sense of the world in an orderly way. In both conditions, systemizing serves a purpose-either for understanding and maintaining routines (autism) or for alleviating anxiety (OCD)-but the underlying cognitive processes are different.

[@illiteratemochi4150]

This really explains why I was incorrectly diagnosed with OCD in college, but it never quite fit

[@richardkohlhof]

I was diagnosed OCD, however I am able to diagnose myself as autistic through information that I have learned and it is so obvious to me I don't understand why the therapist and the doctor haven't concluded this instead they conclude I had OCD and I explained to them over and over that the only way I could find to deal with my emotions that were overwhelming was to assign numbers to the emotions in order to focus on the number instead of the motion I might be melting down into and so I can understand their confusion but when I'm capable of explaining why they think that and everybody I believe has to some degree OCD otherwise you wouldn't be compelled to do anything I am having so much trouble trying to get a proper diagnosis so they can understand and I can work with somebody that is an expert into my thinking processes unfortunately I am struggling and I am 52 still struggling good for you though I hope things work out great I just need some help sometimes

[@marcoanderson316]

SAME

[@richardkohlhof]

@@marcoanderson316 it's frustrating because doctors don't listen to you because they consider you to be less intelligent and intellectually damaged and incapable of making connections to things such as you misdiagnosed me with OCD unfortunately I have autism now how do we proceed so that I can learn how to better cope and enjoy parts of my life instead of constantly have a negative future outlook I'm still trying to get them to understand that they either misdiagnosed me or the underdiagnosed me I explained very well why I use numbers and it was a coping mechanism and they the doctors and therapist simply don't listen to what I have to say and not respect they just listen to me talk and then I feel like it was a worthless visit and I accomplished nothing not even convincing a therapist or doctor that it's possible they could possibly be not totally correct

[@gymnasticsgirlie0647]

That's funny because normally people have OCD but are incorrectly diagnosed with something else, not the other way around.

[@richardkohlhof]

@@gymnasticsgirlie0647 I must be taking that incorrectly in a negative way because it sounds like you're mocking me or saying that sounds untrue because you have a lot of information about this occurrence that you claim. Probably just over analyzing

[@WerstoftheWorst]

I was diagnosed with ocd as a child and my parents just attributed all my signs of autism to the ocd. Absolutely life changing learning I had autism. It felt like half of my problems were just going unheard

[@Silkenray]

I have OCD. My husband is autistic. Our experiences are similar but also have some striking differences.

[@jordanangelov3795]

I'm autistic with OCD, but I was diagnosed incompletely with OCD first, 3 years before I was diagnosed as autistic wtih OCD 😃.. I kept wondering most of my life why I am feng-shuing the whole house all the time until everything is in its perfect position (so that nothing bad would happen to anyone ofc 😆) but OCD never felt like the whole picture, it never explained the autism symptoms I experience like my sensitivity, communication skills and super strong interests in certain subjects.

[@TenshiAkeela]

Before I forget I want to point out that the lighting in the room tickles my brain in a good way and I greatly appreciate it

[@luckamooey]

Im diagnosed both Autistic and OCD, I took this after finding it on Reddit and my results were off. The way they structure the systemizing and mechanical structure imo is going to leave a lot of solid data out from folks who strongly systemize, but not in mechanics. I have trouble with mechanical schemas, numbers etc but in terms of Art, the underlying core of my strongest work personally and in professional contexts is because of my systemizing. I hope in the future their studies reflect more what they're trying to connect.

[@Catlily5]

I agree, they didn't even explain the parts well.

[@Catlily5]

I thought they should have more than one type of system as well.

[@luckamooey]

I gave them feedback that the parts themselves of the levers should be colour coded. By like the 10th one I was like F this lol it was all blurring together@@Catlily5

[@jimwilliams3816]

Agreed. I would love to be the stereotypical autistic engineering type but I could never go there, I think because ADHD kneecapped my ability to aggregate information as...systematically. But I am a pretty serious pattern matcher; I accumulate as much information as focus allows, then play with it incessantly until I start seeing the underlying logical structures emerge. It’s way less organized than the autistic problem solvers I admire, but it still gets me some tolerable results that many people don’t seem to achieve.

[@luckamooey]

@@jimwilliams3816 my learning disability definitely plays a part in WHAT I am able to systemize, not HOW, as well.

[@asphaltandtacos]

I came across your channel by accident. I appreciate your content and concise presentations. Dealing with OCD, autism and anxiety on a daily basis is a challenge. Some experts make my mind race in circles with some of the things that say. I was diagnosed with so many different conditions that almost every box could be checked. Thank you for discussing this topic. I no longer feel like I am losing my mind.

[@kategraham6792]

This was brilliant, thank you for sharing. I have OCD but my husband who is high functioning thinks Im autistic as well and well after listening to this I think he's right.

[@lindseyreyes983]

I have counted my steps since childhood. I feel compelled to take the first step on a different texture with my left foot, even if it messes up my gait and makes me look like a weirdo. Around the house I am usually fine, but out in public I don’t have the distance memorized and I feel self-conscious but usually not enough to override the compulsion. There’s no anxiety-driven “if it’s wrong then xyz will happen,” it’s more of a “it’s just the way it is and it’s got to be done right.” Teaching my children how to do household chores or make food etc is riddled with anxiety! I have to do things in a certain way and it’s so difficult to overcome the anxiety/compulsive thinking and just be patient with them as they learn. For example: making popcorn. I always put in exactly 5 kernels to start with, making an X shape in the bottom of the pan. Once they pop, I add in the remainder of the kernels, put the lid on, and swirl the pan 60 times (but counting 1 & 2 & … to 30). Then if I feel it’s taking too long on the stove, I can’t not pick up the pan and swirl it again. Normal, small tasks often feel so huge and intimidating to me because there are so many steps, and they all have to be done just right. A past therapist once asked if I had ever been dx’ed with OCD and I shrugged it off jokingly, but I think we should have investigated further. I have also struggled with perfectionism to the point where if I don’t think it will be done exactly right, I can’t even bring myself to start. I’ve adopted the mantra “A done something is better than a perfect nothing,” but I still struggle. I was being treated for ADHD, but it never really seemed like the right dx. Haven’t yet found a medication for ADHD that works well enough without side effects. I asked my family doctor if I could possibly be autistic and he said that ADHD in women often presents similarly to autism, but didn’t elaborate. I don’t know exactly what he meant by that… I would love to have just one day where life didn’t seem so hard. I’m still a functional human being. I homeschool my children and I volunteer at church. I am involved with my community and I walk 2 mornings a week with friends. I coach a math team at our homeschool co-op. I have a college degree (with honors). I have even worked from home while homeschooling my children, but I’m not still working that hard. I think because I’m used to everything feeling hard, I have the tools & stamina to grin and bear it and just do the hard things, but I wish just for once I didn’t feel that soul-crushing weight.

[@AngelaWolf-x4x]

Thank you for sharing your life. As a teacher, your story helps me consider more possibilities about the 'roots' of my students' actions. Much appreciated.

[@vaibhavkumar8726]

I'm a non-autistic with OCD, and I think some differences should be pointed out between the two. While the ritualistic and repeated behaviors might overlap, they differ in nature. In OCD, the repeated rituals and behaviors are due to specific anxieties and intrusive thoughts, while in autism, they might just be a preference. The "Obsessions" in OCD revolves around specific anxieties and intrusive thoughts which are distressing, and "Compulsions", the rituals or actions done to counter them, while the "Obsessions" for Autistics might just be their special deep interests which they find pleasant or soothing and the "Compulsions" could be the preference of sameness in day to day routines, same way of doing things which can be seen as "Rituals" which are comfortable for their differently wired brain and finding transitions difficult. I feel like the Anxiety part overlaps in Autism and OCD, but in Autism the Anxiety is due to the Neuro divergence and the different way of functioning and thinking while OCD anxieties are caused by intrusive unwanted thoughts which can be overcome gradually with therapy. Another area where the symptoms seemingly overlaps is the "Perfectionism" but again in case of OCD, it's due to the crippling anxiety and intrusive thoughts, seeking "Orderliness" and control over things to ease anxieties while for Autistics it might just be a preference that gives them a sense of "Orderliness" and predictivitiy being neuro Divergent, and a sense of control due to different way of functioning and sensitivities towards environments. It should also be noted that OCD can develop at any age and can be overcome with a combination of therapies like CBT and ERP, with SSRIs if needed. This suggests that it might not be due to neural development. Furthermore, to be diagnosed as autistic, one must fit the criteria outlined in the DSM-5, in which social difficulties are the primary factor. Additionally, there are many apparent overlaps between Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and autism, which again is an Anxiety Disorder but it's important to differentiate between them as well. I guess people with OCD might suffer socially due to the anxiety as opposed to Autistics, where social cues can be hard to understand. Be it OCD, SAD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), I think they can manifest together because of an underlying anxious nature 🤔

[@AngelaWolf-x4x]

I am a teacher. I have student who MUST touch his forehead to every corner he sees. As he is mostly nonverbal, it is impossible to know what his thoughts are about the behavior. So preference vs anxiety is not always easy to discern. (Hugs.)

[@kaitlinrushing]

I have Quiet BPD & OCD. I do appreciate your videos, you teach me a lot about Autism & mental health in general.

[@HolyPancakesBatman72]

i once joked that being teased for "being ocd" in childhood should be added to the diagnostic criteria for autism in women. there's a fair amount of overlap in our behaviors and popular understanding of ocd is all based around the "fussy" behavior and doesn't take into account the obsessive intrusive thoughts that trigger those compulsions

[@DaughterofDiogenes]

I just found out I had OCD like 2 weeks ago!! I've been diagnosed with chromic depression practically since birth, aspergers for over 20 years, adhd for the last decade and now this...I can't wait for another 10 years to get the next set of letters. What I will say that finding out and adjusting treatment was the best thing to ever happen to me. I almost feel whole again after a million years. 20 yeasrs if the exact opposite therapy than I should have been getting had convinced me I was a lost cause. My next steps were literally check into a mental hospital and seek electroshock therapy. I swithced over to DBT and its like I was never a broken husk of a person. The whole experiences has been entirely strange and wonderful.

[@jimmymorrison8314]

Interesting. I have a diagnosis of OCD going back years and I've just started speaking to the docs about autism. Thanks Orion. Excellent name, by the way.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

I've definitely had OCD and have ADHD as far as official diagnoses go and it's hard to argue that I haven't got ASD given how I've been the last few months where I'm burned out enough to let it show. I think one of the big differences between ASD and OCD with respect to the video is that OCD compulsions are generally to get away from the icky anxious feeling you've got and ASD RRB are more trying to get some sort of positive feelings that come from engaging in the RRB. At some point, you don't need any more of the RRB for a short period of time and can stop it briefly, but over time the OCD compulsions get to the point where they take up all your time and are self-reinforcing. One of the things that blew my mind was when I realized that most of the things I do that seem odd to other people have more than one cause depending on what's going on with me at that time. That's not something that any of the mental health professionals I was dealing with ever seemed to consider. That I might genuinely be OCD, but other things as well.

[@sylraos4459]

I just took the survey thanks to this video. I don't have any formal diagnosis for anything, but I'm fairly confident I have some kind of ocd and I suspect I might be on the spectrum. I tend to score a slight bit above the cutoff threshold on online tests for the latter. OCD obsessions can be anything that causes mental discomfort. In my case it often revolves around social rejection and relationships. Compulsions, meanwhile, are maladaptive tecniques to deal with those disruptive feelings. My compulsive response is usually intense rumination. The questionnaire lacked generalized questions and that leads me to think that it will miss people who demonstrate these behaviors in ways outside the usual OCD stereotypes. I also don't feel the systemizing portion was explained very well. They're diagrams of level, pulley, and rope apparatuses but I found myself often wondering exactly how the things were supposed to be connected. I feel this will cause people to score lower than they otherwise would, but I think since it's uniform, it would be less of an issue for the study.

[@theyxaj]

I agree! I thought the diagrams were lacking in clarity. I'd also be curious to know if these systems had been built in the real world and their outcomes recorded, or if they were just simulated or thought about by the researchers.

[@sylraos4459]

@@theyxaj I suspect they weren't built. 16, I think it was, I thought was egregious in particular. It was the one with the lever attached to a large pulley and the two weights completely separate from it. I assumed that since it was detached that weights were in equilibrium and nothing would move. Apparently this was wrong. I don't know if I was supposed to account for the pulley applying friction to an arm, the arms the weights were attached to being of different lengths, or if the lever actually was connected in some ambiguous way that I didn't understand. I still got the majority of them correct, but I don't think it reflects well when the only ones I missed were the same ones I had questions about.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@theyxaj They were also kind of small. I probably should have done the survey tomorrow when I'm a bit less tired. I think it's funny though how the only parts of the questionnaire that were quite clear were for the autism, which I lack a diagnosis for and the mechanical reasoning.

[@theyxaj]

@@SmallSpoonBrigade I think I zoomed the page to 200%. I did appreciate in the instructions though that it said, "there are no trick questions"

[@aVeganMaya]

I'm SO annoyed with this test, I took screenshots of the four questions I got "wrong", where the parts either don't touch or it's not explained how that interaction would work... One of them was that nr 16. I don't think those would work like they assume in a real world scenario, unless maybe they disregard of gravity when it's convenient. I'm so bugged by this that I'm thinking about actually making them in real life and sending the results to the university.... I'm btw not diagnosed yet, but in the process... 😅😂

[@elizabethhostetter1946]

That was fun! i love working out puzzles like that, and i'm always picturing better ways to do things or more efficient designs. i suspect my dad is autistic, but at 86 he's not concerned with how anyone perceives him (except he doesn't want to be malicious). i wasn't diagnosed until nearly 50. boy, what an eye-opener!

[@camicasze]

i came across this video by accident (or not) and i'm amazed. i was diagnosed with ocd four years ago, but i'm looking for an autism diagnosis because i think there's some connection to it. my mom always tells me i was 'crazy' when i was a kid because i couldn't stand certain clothes and i'd take them all off, or i would literally have a meltdown if she changed the path home, i couldn't walk 'normally' (when i'm not wearing shoes i just walk using my toes AND the heels, otherwise i feel terribly uncomfortable), i always obsessed over things that i like. to this day my life's pretty difficult. i took the test and oh boy lmao i can't wait to get tested. thank you so much for this!

[@webratjen]

I really appreciated that the study was presented as 'you can take part, but no pressure'. Demands or 'calls to action' can be really difficult for people with OCD as they then can fell compelled to engage, or feel failure if they not.

[@dawnrobertson3067]

Hi Orion, I absolutely love your stuff. So informative and funny. I'm Scottish and you Aussies have such a similar sense of humour to us Scots. Love it. Keep doing what you're doing ❤.

[@orionkelly]

Wow, thank you!

[@erynmorgan1717]

Fascinating!! I have suffered with OCD symptoms for years, not the tidy kind, the intrusive thoughts, the cleanliness to touch, rewashing the same load of laundry up to 10x. And yes, the numbers 3 and 10 do seem to have magical properties!! I have severe latex, food and airborne allergies and the amount of rituals I have developed to keep me safe that everyone has to do in our house is stressful and at times upsetting. I had no idea until I started down the research path of self diagnosis of autism that OCD was a comorbidity of autism but it makes perfect sense. I am going to look at this study! Thank you Orion for highlighting it and can't wait to see you do a video on you doing the questionnaire!

[@nnylasoR]

I AM TOTALLY ON THE HARM-POLICE SQUAD!!! 😆 Diagnosed OCD at 39… and yet recently given a negative ASD diagnosis - prior to reviewing my *positive* questionnaire results(!!). Ridiculous, and I’m seeking a revision / do over.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

That's a similar problem to what I've got. I definitely had OCD when I was younger, but treatment seems to have been effective in that it doesn't generally start to creep back into my life unless I'm under a tremendous amount of anxiety, and even then it doesn't get a toehold because I've got strategies. It's rather sad that this is relatively common for adults.

[@melg4866]

This video is great for people who don't know much about OCD or ASD! I was diagnosed with autism while my sibling was diagnosed with OCD. They certainly overlap but the reasoning and reaction before and after the ritual are very different. I don't necessarily break down like my sibling does when I can't complete the ritual. I get upset, sure, but I think of it as a "pause" and that makes me feel better. On the other hand, my sibling will go to extremities to the point it begins to sound illogical. Thank you for speaking on this topic, Orion!

[@Swipe_card_sally_alt]

The obsessive counting I’ve done since I was small , love your videos

[@kensears5099]

I want to share an insight that has come to me since my ASD discovery, one that maybe will prove helpful to others. The ASD discovery and its tsunami of insights came very late to me in life (65), and I like to think that perhaps something I say here might help much younger people and spare them decades of useless anxiety. Because of this discovery I have a new, dare I say miraculously new, freedom to do certain things simply because I want to, I need to, they are what works for me, and I no longer need to allow that inner visceral "clutch" of self-doubt, embarrassment, guilt, disorientation (wait, what, there's something improper about this?), when others question me with a tone vaguely bordering on ridicule ("Why on earth would you do that?", "That's silly, you don't need to do that," "That's a waste of time and money," "Oh, I would never do that; here's a much simpler way," etc.). For instance, I am now en route from a city in Country A to a city in Country B. I could certainly do the entire trip in a day...a very long day...with one change of trains, and also the bother of passport control, long lines.... That prospect--doing the whole thing in a day--always, viscerally, horrifies me. Instead, I go to a city near the Country B border where I stay in a hotel for a night, then take the next train into Country B the next day, after a good night's sleep, a leisurely breakfast, a reassuring re-pack of my things and reorientation to the new day's journey. I NEED it, viscerally, psychically (i.e., "existentially"). The standard reaction when I tell people I do this is that I'm doing it the least efficient way, wasting money, "Why, don't you know you could already be there in nine, ten (maybe 11) hours and save yourself a whole's day's travel and hotel costs?" Somehow what they seem incapable of registering is that, to me, that sounds the same as saying, "Why, don't you know that instead of that ham sandwich you could chew glass?" But I've never been equipped, that is, until my ASD discovery, to understand my preferences, my NEEDS, as anything but childish, foolishly impractical, self-indulgent, etc. And so I'd stammer and hem and haw about how, yeah, I guess it was silly of me, or, oh, I didn't realize I could have done it all in one day (but I did, so that's a very uncomfortable white lie, which feels like a betrayal of my authenticity), or, "just call me crazy, I guess!" (ha, ha). Whatever it takes to just get them off my back. But now I'm free. I don't have to justify, explain or, heck, even TALK about my plans, choices and needs with anybody else if I don't want to. Or if I do get confronted about my apparently wildly unorthodox behaviors (staying a night in a hotel, right up there with swallowing live frogs, I guess), I now feel this wonderfully new liberating freedom (yes, I know, tautology, but still...) to just say, "I know, but this is how I like to do this, it's better for me mentally." End of discussion. I'm debt-free, I owe nobody the least attempt at justification. There is nothing TO justify. I will do what I need, want, to do. And as for wasting money, I dare say that my few indulgences, like a night in hotel, fade in comparison to a slew of things that the people with the helpful advice spend all kinds of money on that I never would. And anyway, it's my money, and my time. I'm not keeping the King of England waiting, for Pete's sake, so lighten up. 😏

[@jimwilliams3816]

There is, inevitably, a lot of overlap of cognitive behaviors among human beings, with and without official mental conditions. That diagnosing mental conditions is based on aggregating behavioral traits is what makes the whole process so tricky. For example: I check repeatedly that I have my car keys, both before and after locking the car door, and there are multiple areas is which I do this sort of thing. Anxiety is often involved. Sounds like OCD - except part of the reason I do this is because I have ADHD, and am inattentive enough to lock my keys in the car, and the main reason I don’t is the anxiety gets me to pay attention. If I relax I get more inattentive. What about checking repeatedly though? That’s where my crap working memory comes in: I can’t retain a clear memory that when I checked, they were in my pocket. I could also have not gotten them in my pocket properly, and they are now lying in the parking lot 50 meters back. So my predisposition to hypervigilance masked my ADHD for many years, while my ADHD coping tools made my hypervigilance worse. This sort of thing is why, when I look at the areas in which I struggle, I sometimes wonder if I’m autistic (I do have a diagnosis) or if GAD and ADHD were enough to get me where I am. As it happens, one of the things that gives me confidence in my diagnosis is that the things about my cognition that I like, that do not give my anxiety (but for the social issues they cause) are pretty autistic in character. These seem more driven by brain architecture than disordered behavior. But apart from all the overlaps between autism and ADHD, DSM criteria looks for behaviors that cause problems in multiple areas of life. I have those, but most of them can show up in several other disorders. What if I’m a person with an autistic “personality,” who also happens to have GAD, ADHD, and...if I ask the right doctor...maybe I’ll be told I am bipolar, have OCD, maybe BPD...??No wonder imposters syndrome hits so many autistic people at intervals. Few enough of us have “one thing going on.” Ultimately, I think cognitive science will replace observation based tools, and eventually I suspect the DSM will be looked back on as this crude and archaic relic, like leeches and bleeding are looked back on now. To be honest, I rather hope so.

[@lindseycassella3015]

This is exactly what happened to me! I became hypervigilant in the areas where the ADHD had previously negative consequences on my life. It's like a never ending loop. I forget things or procrastinate then a negative consequences results from this so I overcorrect my behaviors to the point of exhaustion but it's what keeps me paying my bills until I get to a point where I can finally relax and it happens all over again. Rinse and Repeat.

[@richardrosebealprestonjohn3144]

Overlap of many symptoms for sure.

[@visionvixxen]

I thought I wrote this… lol. Exactly. All of it.

[@BigIndianBindi-jy1cz]

my OCD is really stupid. The empty toothpaste tube has to stay in the bathroom drawer. I can't throw it away because it represents the pillars that hold up reality. If I move it, it will cause reality to become unstable, and it will trigger a cascade of negative events.

[@KristenK78]

Watching this with bated breath. My mom is a retired RN with OCD. I recently got an official ADHD diagnosis, but I had clear symptoms of inattentive type ADHD by middle school. Except they hadn’t figured out Inattentive type ADHD was a thing yet. Anyway, my mom has been trying to self-diagnose me as autistic for ages. The possibility that it might actually apply to her is…intriguing.

[@BigTSW]

Hey Orion, interesting video. Thanks for all your work, I love hearing from someone who I share an accent with. I am an undiagnosed autistic. I just went and did the questionnaire. I scored 9 out of 10 on the autism quotient part (no big surprise there), 24 out of 72 on the OCD Inventory, suggesting possible OCD, 25 out of 80 on the DOCS which apparently could mean either OCD or anxiety, 11 out of 20 on the systemizing quotient, 0 out of 20 on the Empathy quotient (lovely) and finally 17 out of 20 in the systemizing task. That task was quite challenging, so I am happy with that outcome. Overall, very interesting! Thanks for sharing. There definitely does seem like there are big links/similarities between autism and OCD. I see you often asking for ideas for future videos, I'd love to see content on other common comorbidities/linked conditions such as gastro-intestinal difficulties and problems with addictions. Thanks again!

[@orbismworldbuilding8428]

Here’s my thoughts on the matter. Autism and ADHD both have hyperfixations and are more likely to have OCD, autism and adhd have overactive thinking and intense emotions, both have repetive behaviors to self regulate. Ocd is about negative, intrusive and anxious feelings thoughts and actions and use rituals to try and regulate anxiety. If you have a brain that won’t be quiet, and fixates on things, and self regulates through repetitive actions then you’re more likely to have the negative/intrusive kinds of obsessions and rituals and repetitions too. Neurologically, people with ocd tend to have overactivitu in the parts of the brain that create fear disgust anxiety guilt, self control and willpower and even empathy. Autistic and adhd brains are often hyperactive anyways, so it makes sense that the parts that generate anxiety and guilt and disgust and compulsive behavior would be overactive too.

[@christinestromberg4057]

I will certainly look at the study as this interests me a lot. I developed obsessive behaviour as a child/young teen and though I've tried hard to fight it, it has persisted into old age. And I absolutely feel terrible if things are not symmetrical. An example: I build in Second Life, and love the idea of novel builds, haphazard planting, etc, but in the end I just can't bring myself to do it. It just feels so wrong, even though I love it when other people do it. Thankfully Its never been about cleanliness and so on in my case.

[@mauhu]

important to note that ocd obsessions and compulsion can be quite literally anything.

[@lilymulligan8180]

Yes, thank you, it took 15 years of therapy for me to get diagnosed because my OCD doesn't look anything like the stereotypes.

[@Timbothruster-fh3cw]

I have BBD/ OCD😢

[@Your_Local_Bushman]

And the compulsion for the obsession doesn’t have to relate to the obsession at all.

[@10yearsago96]

Definitely, I have mine mostly based around me or my parents dying, someone breaking into the health, and throwing up (emetophobia), but I have super random ones too😂

[@skye4825]

​@@10yearsago96man thats my EXACT DEAL TOO how'd you know xD but yeah its so hard dealing with those huge scary thoughts all the damn time

[@jongranada]

The systemizing task in that study was fun but frustrating in how poorly it was explained. In the directions it says gears were for supporting the strings weights were attached to, but then they can also move levers? And don’t even get me started on the “pin and slot” BS! I think I’m just salty because I should’ve gotten 20/20 instead of 19/20, because I didn’t realize the gears were just poorly explained until the later questions. Still a lot of fun though!! But I don’t know how those weights were hanging in an upside down V formation? The physics issues were really messing with me.

[@theyxaj]

I agree, I have a feeling my answers to some questions would've been "correct" if the researcher was able to hear my reasoning.

[@Catlily5]

​@@theyxaj You understood it better than me. I thought it was poorly explained but did much worse.

[@tulleuchen]

I appreciate how clear and concise as well as thorough you are! Very interesting connections here!

[@madazaboxofrogzz8884]

Orion your videos are literally keeping me sane while going through hell for a diagnosis at 51, my children are all autistic Asperger's ADHD all 3 of them . Our house is brilliant it's like a comedy sketch 💚 I was diagnosed as depressed bipolar age 14 then ocd anxiety etc . I know what I am but these who do the diagnosis are just pushing peoples buttons & making matters worse I never wanted anyone knowing about my quirks wen my kids were in school because I was terrified of my kids being taken away .. I have a unhealthy obsession with cleaning I have design my life to fit me but it's exhausting I can't be around anyone I have completely shut down everything this last few years has been traumatic I won't go into detail but my daughter saw going through hell n I had to protect her then she hung herself was found & was in a COMA for some time , I freak out internally every time she leaves the house my entire being is in freeze mode and I can't get any help it's not healthy living like this I know that but I can't get anywhere to get help 💚 I don't want medicine I just want my life to make sense & the same chance normal folks get ... Love from Amanda in Blackpool England UK 🩷 Keep up ur amazing information for us all 💚

[@allisgrace1313]

Thanks for this! I was diagnosed with OCD at 16 (in the 90s), during a point in my life in which I was almost institutionalized. I now clearly recognize as an intense period of almost constant autistic meltdown/shutdown, after two car accidents a week apart. Ive just recently self diagnosed and i actually just had this thought a few days ago.. I wonder if someday they will discover that OCD IS Autism 🤷🏽‍♀️...and now here you are! 😉 You are quickly becoming my favorite voice nin the Autism community! I especially want to thank you for your Unmasked, Unedited, Unwatchable series! Its like a lifeline for me right now!

[@CatharineCurrell]

interesting video. Thanks. I did the Cambridge study survey and so hopefully that will add useful response data. BUT... oh my goodness, that section with the diagrams! I concluded half way through that it must be a set-up to see just how distressed all the inconsistencies in the diagrams would make you... but no... it's really just a straight test. I don't think I have OCD but the diagrams are...maddening! So many variables that you just have to guess: Are there holes in these boxes? Is that why the strings are not always hanging vertically? Are these extra levers anchored in some way or just floating in space?... Ok, I need a cup of tea... a very even, ideally square, cup of tea.

[@kieranoconnor333]

Always a good time seeing a new Orion Kelly video pop up ☺️👍

[@Sparkling34]

6:12 this is something I do a lot. I count constantly throughout my day. I always count when going up or down stairs (usually not counting the steps, usually a pattern of random numbers sometimes not even in order) sometime I'll count my claps and clap the same number for everyone, or count how long a crowd claps for. I also just do the basic counting while doing random things

[@Old52Guy]

This is exciting news! I hope other researchers will be able to replicate the study. Great job!

[@thomaspeecha1294]

This is fascinating. A close family member of mine has OCD. After watching Orion's videos for the last year, I have been wondering myself about a possible connection between ASD and OCD. My family member doesn't have trouble with social interaction unless they involve triggers but they present with black/white thinking, trouble with changes, and a few other behaviors Orion has talked about. I think their providers have ruled out an ASD diagnosis at their initial assessments.

[@boop7313]

FASCINATING!!!! thanks Orion this is sooo interesting to me too. By the way I also count my actions too 🤣🤣🤣Sidenote: I'm an almost 48 year old woman (my birthday's coming up😬) who has a strong feeling I might be autistic (few massive clues I've noticed especially after more education from advocates and educators like you) AND I was diagnosed with OCD "tendencies" at the same time as I was diagnosed with complex PTSD about 10 years ago. I also found a total obsession or "special interest" about 3 years ago that has become my entire life lol. Funnily enough it's totally system orientated and I think that why I've become so skilled at this particular task. Peers often comment on it and I sit back baffled and quietly wondering how they can find the same task difficult because for me it's all 1 plus 2 equals 3, obviously! Anyway I should shut up now, I've probably talked enough lol 😂 Thanks for the video!

[@RMedich]

I have OCD and under the diagnostic process for auDHD. This makes perfect sense to me! I have mild contamination issues, which works as a scrub nurse 😂 and definitively helps with anaesthetic roles. I’m currently trying to learn how to communicate effectively… so that’s fun.

[@WiseWordsofWill]

Someone with diagnosed OCD here, the whole question on the connection between OCD and autism has been on my mind for years. It does seem like a lot of people get misdiagnosed with one when it’s really the other, or people have both with one or neither diagnosed. Honestly though, for some reason I struggle with the idea that they have any direct overlap, as in having one makes you more likely to have the other, because while they present similarly sometimes, I believe they are VERY different at their core. OCD is more based around severe anxiety that that if you don’t do compulsions, there will be some sort of consequence. Sometimes though my compulsions just kind of exist without any obvious reason in my head. I’m no expert in autism but I just don’t really see the connection on a mental level, like, what MOTIVATES these thoughts in the first place ya know. Also the fact that medication tends to be effective in treating OCD symptoms, sometimes permanently in some people. I’m totally open to hearing other people’s opinions if anyone has any thoughts

[@WiseWordsofWill]

Also as other people in the comments have pointed out, there is *nothing* pleasurable about OCD, is completely motivated by anxiety, while from what I know, repetition in autism is more of a self regulatory thing and can be enjoyable

[@AngelaWolf-x4x]

I believe that, in part, considering overlaps is important as there are many non-verbal people who are currently diagnored as autistic and have characteristics of someone with OCD. However, with limited communication skills, it is hard to identify the root/ why a person presents with repetive behaviors (for example). There is no perfect science but the tools can be helpful.

[@KoalaRoo]

I was ALMOST COMPLETED & somehow I accidentally swiped across my screen & suddenly everything was gone 😫 I spent so long reading & rereading to make sure I understood the questions then all the way through the lever diagram section drawing in the air with my fingers to represent where they’re going to match up to an answer & then get down to the next section of agree disagree levels & vamoose, gone; no results for you! I swiped out, but can’t swipe back in. Click the link & have to start all over again!! I am devastated and defeated, I’m too mentally exhausted from dealing with people & all the confusion they cause me at work & now I’m defeated by this chunk of questions and have just wasted all me time & I don’t even get told a result because they’re cheeky & “before you get your result” here do some more agrees and disagrees & I am fail! 😭 Now I have to go & do it all over again & I’m just scared I’m gonna somehow swipe out of it, I didn’t even know I could swipe out that easy - not even intentional screen swipe, am I just not meant to know. Why is Tuesday filled with unfortunate things…

[@catherinecummins2847]

Yes to the counting for sure. I have always counted bites, steps, etc. I have magic numbers sometimes odd and sometimes even. It makes me obsess about my weight, demand avoidance like reps in the gym or showering once a day/week.

[@ds.laetitia]

Thanks, I participated and I will share. However, it was hard to answer certain situations without being able to ask questions, as it wasn't clear to me how some elements were supposed to interact or not with each other (cases that were not explicited beforehand), and if things were attached or not to the background (which I systematically guessed wrong).

[@Catlily5]

I agree. They didn't explain all of the components and some of the gears would have done nothing.

[@mdailyJHU]

😂😂 totally agree

[@katherine1304]

my boyfriend has diagnosed ocd and we’re pretty sure he’s autistic too. i got him a fidget toy for Christmas and gave it to him early and he’s already seeing an improvement in the skin around his nails! your videos are helpful and insightful :)

[@ChelleLlewes]

What's the opposite of Harm Police? 'Cause that's me. I much prefer to teach children in the moment about what is harmful and why. The WHY is the most important part. They can and do understand. And it's the best way for them to learn. Thanks for the link! That study looks fascinating!

[@rikkicobb2693]

I was diagnosed with OCD at 15 when I was in an inpatient clinic for anorexia. I don't remember much about the visit other than that I spent a considerable amount of time reorganizing their books. At any rate, I also have ADHD. I never thought about how autism and OCD might connect. I love your videos.

[@rikkicobb2693]

Side note: I was able to control my OCD to the point that my therapist said I did not have it anymore. Because, before I saw her I started doing my own research because I didn't have insurance. I started doing my own "exposure therapy." I'd expose myself to the uncomfortable thing and refuse to let myself do the task. It was uncomfortable but what helps is reminding yourself that if you don't get control of it, it controls you and I have never liked feeling as though I lacked control in my life.

[@peteybmtb]

I obsess over absolutely everything and not just things that are happening or may happen but things from my childhood (I'm 50 now). All of these obsessions seem to be negative in nature, which is interesting. I never obsess about what a lovely day it is or the fact that I managed to get out of bed and have a wash but I will obsess over the odd look that I got from somebody or why do people constantly walk into my path in the street. Compulsions are a far greyer area for me though. I check that my keys are in my pocket several times as I'm leaving the house and tend to repeat the word "keys" in my head as I am getting ready to leave the house. I also have a very specific order in which I do any repetitive task such as showering and drying myself to the point that if I get distracted while drying myself, for example, I can't work out what parts of me I have already dried and how to start up again. Everything having a place and symmetry are also world enders but I'm not sure if this counts as compulsions. I have this image, probably incorrect, of somebody not being able to leave the house because they have to turn the light switch on and off 1000 times before they can open the door. I find this topic extremely confusing. Blimey, sorry that was long but recently discovered I was autistic and am in the whirlwind of discovery and inquisitiveness at this stage. So overwhelming.

[@isabellammusic]

I relate!

[@sylraos4459]

Obsessions kind of have to be negative to put the person in a situation where they'll develop compulsions to help self-soothe. Take your key example. You repeatedly check your keys because that makes you feel better about the idea of forgetting your keys. Actually forgetting your keys will likely not be that bad of an experience. You'll either call someone you live with or a locksmith to let you in. Yes that's a hassle, but compare that to the simple idea of forgetting your keys. It's so uncomfortable that you create a compulsion to make it feel better.

[@pipwhitefeather5768]

I relate too. Conversations that I had 3 years ago with someone, will pop into my head and I'll go through the confusing thoughts about what was going on again and again, speaking out loud what I should have said etc. I guess this is another reason why I drank and smoked so much throughout my life. It is a whirlwind isn't it? Events and experiences from your life come up, and in the context of an autistic brain it makes sense why we did/reacted/felt how we did. It's as if we're understanding ourselves for the first time. Good luck on your journey 🙏

[@peteybmtb]

@@sylraos4459 Thanks so much for your reply. I get what you're saying but I have a logical reason for checking my keys and that is that it would be a huge thing for me to have to deal with and pay for a locksmith, plus that inside my property is the only safe space I have and I don't know how I would cope with not being to access that immediately if needed, which is every time I leave the house. Is it not therefore just a logical thing to check that I have my keys? Or is it the fact that I check many times that makes it a compulsion, when a neuro typical person (is that the correct phrase) would perhaps only check once or simply put them in their pocket?

[@peteybmtb]

Thank you @@pipwhitefeather5768 . Our minds are a crazy place eh! I completely agree with you about seeing your life through the lens of autism. I only discovered Orion yesterday and have not done anything else since except watch his videos and read everyone's comments 🤣. I am in a current state of "Oh that's why that happened or that's why I do that". But the fact that people relate to what I am saying is the most overwhelming thing. I've heard Orion mention "being seen" and that really is how it feels for the first time ever, so thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my comment. It means the world.

[@julierhan]

In a future video, I’d love it. If you could discuss how Neurotypical people act and behave. I know that may sound very strange. I am only now becoming aware that I am almost certainly autistic, and I feel that I have surrounded myself over time with neurodivergent people (without realizing it or intending to do so). My workplace seems to have attracted a lot of ND folks. When I try to reflect on who is Neurotypical, I seem to only come up with stereotypes, such as liking social events, perhaps being more shallow, enjoying mainstream things like sports, popular music, and movies. The neurotypical people that I know also don’t seem to get exhausted by managing day-to-day life and seem to place a slightly higher value on appearance or hierarchy. It’s a question I’m really trying to explore and I’d love to hear other peoples understanding of who Neurotypical people are and what they are like.

[@spaghetto9836]

I love being a part of helpful studies, so thanks for this one, Kelly! I got an 8/10 in the ASD test, below average chance of having OCD (& empathy apparently :/ lol), and 90% in the systemizing game. Though it was hard to guess the relationship between parts through a crudely drawn diagram- I prefer physically feeling mechanisms out. :))

[@SalemBelladonna]

I appreciate you so much, Orion. Thank you!!!

[@covert_warrior]

Wow... just wow...... perfectly worded!

[@NAPS4UAusome]

Timely post. We just had a discussion about OCD at one of our monthly meetings last weekend.

[@TakeMeToYourLida]

I haven’t pursued diagnoses but recognize my symptoms and really identify with this. I learned to start masking early but as a young child I used to re-mouth every sentence I said silently after saying it to examine my words and consider if I’d said exactly what I meant, thinking it would help me learn how to communicate better, faster. I never realized it before watching this but I must been afraid to say the wrong thing, and that makes sense with my upbringing. I’ve also always used counting in various situations.

[@catherinecummins2847]

😂I did not understand the written preface nor could read the instructions for the mechanical diagram - autistic eh! Thanks Orion for explaining in a way I can comprehend. The study was interesting.

[@rainbowtourmaline3545]

Same here with the counting Orion! No goal for me either, just counting. I always wondered why I did that.

[@kernanandrews3374]

Thank you Orion for this video. Please do another video on this study!

[@Penny-16]

6:36 counting is fine and not ocd unless you feel something bad will happen if you DONT count. I HAVE to count to stop the intrusive thoughts from making me hurt myself. This is very different from a habit of counting things. A common misconception. The rest of your explanation of ocd was good

[@stephienxb]

Wonderful content!! Thank you!

[@simanbut1]

Hey Orion, thanks so much for your videos and providing awareness through your lived experiences. I have always felt different but have generally seemed pretty "normal" (masking?), but now think it is likely that I have high-functioning autism. I am looking to get tested the next few days. I don't think much will change in how I act or see myself, but I think it will help explain why I am how I am. Guess I'll see. Thanks for your videos!

[@nilsya]

Oh wow... That explains a lot... I never thought that both OCD and Autism have the same profile of being "systemiser". I just felt when I have OCD it is a negative experience, but if it's a special interest, it feels like "being in love" with a subject/thing/animal/person.

[@T.T.M.60]

Interesting!,I’ll have to check out the study and questionnaire.

[@nancyfarrell4791]

Orion you might look into the connection between mild autism and movement disorders. I have both as do many other young onset Parkinson patients. The one feels like a manifestation of the other. I had a neurologist tell me Parkinsons is a physical disorder but that it comes with an odd personality. Followed by a mental health provider tells me they can tell who in the grocery store is autistic by how they move!

[@kaycevanveer212]

The toy has to be thrown away for you to have peace. If the toy stays, do does the stress of what could happen. Makes sense to me. If i see a potential danger its out of here. Agreed orion. Don't freak yourself out. You're making sense.

[@violetagarcia2562]

I have OCD and Generalized anxiety. My son has autism. I want to participate in this study yet find myself feeling anxious about doing so. I both want to and don't want to do it. IDK if I will do it but I like that this study is being conducted.

[@ZSchrink]

Excellent look into this theory\study.

[@Marshdweller]

Ive counted while doing something too. 1, 3, 4, and 7 are my favorite numbers.

[@L0stf0rw0rds]

I always count when I'm doing something. Usually up to 4, sometimes 3. I also have to check I have keys before I leave the house. Usually about 3 times. I don't know why.

[@wendyheaton1439]

Counting when stirring ...brilliant idea thanks... I can do multiples of 7 which is my feel good number.

[@davidgarciacooke337]

Hi Orion, can you please make a video on autistic shutdown?. Meltdown and Burnout are widely covered in your videos, but Shutdown seems to be the great forgotten. In my personal case I think it is the most frequent symptom I have, always feeling "sad" and "depressive". I notice any change in my routine will trigger it. For over 20 years I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. It was only after seeing a video on dysthymia that I decided to look for profesional help again and that was when I was diagnosed autistic.

[@adamcolley2744]

Did the test and was put off on the OCD portion as it specifically asked how much I was distressed by thing, not how often I experience each thing. I experience them often, but am distressed by them rarely.

[@angustheterrible3149]

Distress is a key component of having OCD-extreme distress is its trademark. This is why it asks about distress.

[@sophiegolden]

Thank you very much... If others, doctors considere autism to be disabled, I just considere myself to be different... I don't want to live my life in an other way...and in my country France, I will never talk about that, I just said to people to be demisexuel... But men don't understand that at all, because they don't want to be in a real relationship, so for me it s a protection... Thanks Orion, by you name, you opened to me the milky way 😊

[@RadioSpectrumDXer1217]

I was diagnosed today with generalized anxiety disorder and ocd she also said that i did have some of the traits of autism. I do know that anxiety and ocd are also co-morbities of autism spectrum condition. My younger niece is autistic and adhd which are also co-morbidities. I have dealt with these all of my life. Still in the self diagnosed phase of autism though, still no "official" diagnosis yet. Waiting to get scheduled with a psychologist. But alot of what autistic people describe has really resonated with me, the fear of sudden loud noises (for me things like fire alarms ir fireworks), fear of bieng touched, certain clothing material bothers me, twirling of wires, hand movements when im talking and yes occasional hand flapping. Preferance to routines, repetive behaviors like ill sit at the exact same spot on my couch at home, exact same seat in the employee lounge where I work, same method of doing things, even any change in my work schedule bothers me.

[@CuteCatsofIstanbul]

I've always had OCD tendencies, but I never fit the full picture. In my 20's, my shrink had told me 'something is a thing that needs attention when it really affects your daily life', so my tea stirring (10 clockwise, 1 the other way), my obsessive 30 second - 2 different soap hand washing even before the pandemic, the need to have things in order (remember CD/cassette/DVD stores? I could spend days in those places putting order into the chaos by putting things in order!) etc do not affect my life all that much, they are just a part of it, so I don't think I fit the OCD criteria. I'll do the questionnaire, thanks for sharing, always interesting to do these and talk about it.

[@Autism_Forever]

I have Class 3 ASD. I was told that I have borderline OCD. Then I took the test and had 11 out of 12 result. Not so borderline :))))) Well at least I now got evening door checking from 72 times to only 8 :))))) It also helped me understand why I keep seeing graphic things being done to those who have wronged me. Before I thought that I was just sadistic :)

[@BetterTheDevilYouKnow]

This is the video I've been hoping you would do. 🙏

[@DaughterofDiogenes]

Watching your reaction in this video is exactly what I went through after watching a video on real-event ocd. I did all this, except make a video and then I emailed my psychiatrist and therapist. lol

[@crosana01]

I have, unfortunately, cripplingly severe OCD despite heavy medication. My doctors have always felt that I wasn't on the autistic spectrum due to the fact that, despite sometimes heavy social anxiety, I generally socialize easily. However, in more recent years as I've interacted online with people who have ASD, I've found a great deal of what many have said are autistic traits that I intensely relate to. I'm not sure if it's very likely that I have ASD, my psychiatrist and neurologist are very good, but this study is very interesting and gives me a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing it!

[@MelissaThompson432]

I have "necessary habits," but I can cope if I'm not able to accommodate my thoughts or behaviors. I don't count or ritualize--- usually. Only when I'm exhausted or stressed. But I definitely do then. I wouldn't call it OCD. But it's in the same family.

[@PirateQueen1720]

Clicked on this in part because, while I only got diagnosed with autism at 39 (though I almost self-diagnosed at 12!) when I was 4 my parents took me to a child psychologist because I was acting obsessive about infectious disease (and what was "safe" in connection to that) and they were worried I had OCD! She said I probably didn't, and suggested that I be given a set number of times I was allowed to ask an "is it safe?" question per day. I never hit the limit, presumably because having it pointed out that I already had the answer to that question was helpful with the anxiety. As an adult, I wouldn't say I have many noticeably repetitive or obsessive behaviors...but repetitive THOUGHTS (eg practicing what I'm going to say or write or even WHAT I ALREADY SAID over and over in my head) is definitely a thing, and is noticeably more of a thing when I'm already anxious. Also, I do still tend to be a perfectionist/obsessive in specific areas. I recently tried painting my nails after 20+ years of not doing that at all...and realized why I gave it up. Not only do I tend to do stuff like sticking my hands in dirt that chips the polish...the chips bug me SO much! I want to immediately either fix it or break out the polish remover - which is kinda disruptive to my day.

[@ross1972]

Watching endless videos about ocd, adhd or asd just in case Im missing some important piece of the puzzle.

[@cemcupcakes2021]

relatable

[@visionvixxen]

Damn right. And it’s also become a special interest- but maybe that’s why.

[@amberinthemist7912]

So interesting. I am a woman with OCD married to a man with ASD. I've always thought of myself as NT. So that's strange to think that's maybe not true. I have always felt that I was able to understand my husband more because of my OCD. He was all "I've got to get out of here because I can hear the lights" and "where I'm looking and what I'm paying attention to are totally unrelated". And I was like "cool, cool. I also hate it in here because the pattern on that couch is hurting my brain" and "I am going to need your patience while I do certain things repeatedly until they feel right". I think the biggest difference between OCD and ASD is that I would take away my OCD without hesitation. In fact I'd lose some IQ points to do it if needed. OCD is like a chronic pain condition and all the treatment options suuuuck. It's like your brain is screaming constantly. My husband sees ASD as a facet of his brain and part of his being. He wouldn't be himself without it. He says it sucks that the world isn't more functional for more people but he doesn't view it as a disorder.

[@tims9434]

I count subconsciously in my head all the time. I know what the time is and when things will be ready after a set amount of time. I no longer need a clock to tell the time.

[@mdailyJHU]

Took the Cambridge test - definitely qualify as systemizer, but I think their systemizing exercise needs to be improved. It was often not clear from the diagrams which joints are fixed vs rotatable

[@jo45]

How interesting! I have ocd tendensies when stressed, though I haven’t been diagnoed with anything. And autism puts everything in a different light! For suggestions, I would love a video on the conflicting needs between different autistic people and/or neurotypicals. For example: If i need dim lights to not be overstimulated, and I share space with someone who needs a lot of bright light. Do you have any tips for navigating such circumstances kindly and respectfully?

[@ashleywilson311]

Another eye opening video though from the first video I watched on your channel the connection between autism and ocd stood out to me the most so thank you for this. I am diagnosed ocd, bipolar depression, anxiety disorder, social anxiety and cptsd. I fully feel I was actually under diagnosed thanks to your videos I've become obsessed with lol. I believe I have autism as well. I grew up with a narcissistic father and in adult years my romantic relationships have gone from bad to unbelievably worse with the last one ending in a very falsely accusing fellony charge on me due to the exs excessive life threatening constant abuse and the abuse of his psycopathic mother. Needless to say that experience lead me to finally being diagnosed with my multiple mental illnesses at 39yrs old and now these things are amplified times 100 due to the stress and on going trama from the last relationship. I realized I became a professional at masking (did not even know that was a thing) since I was a young child in order to servive. I can not thank you enough for what you do for this community and perfect timing as I am currently fighting to get disability benefits as you can imagine this collectively has caused preforming at a "regular" job as a "regular" person pretty much impossible. I'm going to get reassessment and likely the autism will come up which could change my life for the better so thank you for being the catalyst for this change. Please keep being you and doing what yiu do and a video that shows links between autism and narcissistic exposure or ptsd or bipolar disorder compared with autism would be cool. If not your still a jem and always look farward to your videos. Sorry about the life novel man 😂🤗👋

[@janebrown7231]

Good luck with the disability benefits!

[@MaximumDull]

I was diagnosed with ocd first (showing symptoms since I was three), adhd a couple years back, and I am looking into asd diagnosis. I came to the conclusion my contact aversion is actually asd related, and that the ritualistic behaviour was just maladaptive. I see people in the thread distinguishing on this basis, but take what was already not understood and you were potentially made to feel ashamed of and you wouldn't be able to think critically about how to adapt the self soothing behaviour because of being defensive. I'd also say I was generally aware of how my ocd rituals were not logical, as in the self soothing behavior cause-effect relationship was not coherent and this would add to the shame and frustration. Stimming would also help explain it because it is about repetitive behaviour that is not logical. I can't explain why pacing makes me feel good, as much as I can't explain why washing my hands makes me feel better when I hear something that distresses me. Maybe it's the running water which is what brown noise sounds like, combined with the sense of starting again with a clean slate like a perfectionist might be drawn toward.