Is OCD Considered Neurodivergent?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that consists of a series of obsessions followed by compulsions. While OCD is not classified as a developmental disorder, its neurological basis categorizes the brain function as neurodivergent. Neurodivergence is considered brain variation that is outside of society’s norm, or neurotypical brain functions. A neurodivergent individual’s brain function simply operates differently than the “normal” brain. Neurodivergence is not a deficit, but rather points out that someone’s neurological activity works in unique ways. Neurodiversity, on the other hand, refers to the idea that there is natural variation within the human brain. 

There are different forms of neurodivergence, and these classes can also include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and Tourette syndrome.1 AMFM Mental Health Treatment has over a decade of experience providing compassionate and personalized treatment for the neurotypical community. Obsessions and compulsions can cause emotional distress and disruption to daily life. If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, AMFM Mental Health Treatment can offer a variety of treatment programs and resources. With over a decade of experience treating OCD and related disorders, AMFM is available to provide compassionate care, for a higher quality of life.

is ocd neurodivergent

Neurodiverent Conditions

When people think of neurodivergent individuals, individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder may come to mind. There are different types of neurodivergence. Both groups of neurodivergent conditions may show symptoms of sensory processing differences, impulsivity, repetitive behaviors, or increased levels of compulsions. Often, OCD and autism can be co-occurring disorders. It’s estimated that Autistic people are 2x more likely to have OCD, while people with OCD are 4x more likely to be Autistic, and 17% of autistic people also have OCD.2 While these conditions may be co-occurring, Autistic individuals and those with OCD may be misdiagnosed due to the nature of the repetitive actions or tics. 

More About OCD

Manic Episodes

Obsessions are defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) with the following criteria:

  1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive, unwanted, and that in most individuals cause marked anxiety or distress.
  2. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).

Some common obsessive thoughts include fears of contamination or security, a need for symmetry or order, harm to oneself or others, or intrusive thoughts surrounding religion, sex, aggression or violence.

Compulsions

Compulsions, meanwhile, are defined by the DSM-5 through the following criteria:

  1. Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession
  2. The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation. However, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.


Common compulsions include checking rituals, repetitive behaviors like hand-washing, locking doors, rumination, or other time-consuming rituals. These repetitive behaviors can disrupt the flow of an individual’s daily life. If you or a loved one are looking to control your obsessive-compulsive disorder, don’t hesitate to
reach out today.

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We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.

If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help. 

OCD Symptoms

Symptoms of OCD can include but are not limited to:

  • Obsessive thoughts
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Intrusive thoughts‌
  • Compulsive symptoms
  • ‌Repetitive behaviors
  • Unwanted thoughts
  • Hand washing
  • Hoarding

Types of Therapy Offered at AMFM for OCD

Mental health therapy is a component of treatment programs that includes structured interventions focused on addressing emotional, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. Therapy options are available at varying levels of care, to accommodate the range of symptom severity commonly seen with behavioral disorders. Psychotherapy can help you develop the coping skills you need to effectively cope with and manage your symptoms.

Therapy is available in individual settings, group settings, and support groups. Each of these has its advantages and uses. Common therapeutic approaches used in therapy sessions include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care. 

For some, therapy can be most impactful when it is supplemented with psychiatric care and medication management services. Depending on your needs and the level of care you receive, therapy can occur as short-term crisis service intervention to long-term residential care. If you’d like to connect with us or access a crisis lifeline, call us today.AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers a combination of holistic mental health services‌ and evidence-based therapies like the following:

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy takes place in a one on one setting with a licensed professional, usually consisting of a combination of dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies, in which a person can talk through his or her individual struggles. Individual therapy and mental health care is one of the most crucial steps for those facing mental health challenges.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, that your peers are also walking through these challenges, while also providing guidance, suggestions and communications from psychologists with specialized backgrounds3. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes4. Psychologists are trained to help you change your cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow coping mechanisms that may no longer be serving you.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy.5 By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.

Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services

A crisis is defined by the National Library of Medicine “as an overwhelming event, which can include divorce, violence, the passing of a loved one, or the discovery of a serious illness.”6 The goal of crisis intervention is to provide safety and reduce any potential harm to an individual undergoing a crisis.

Psychiatric Care

AMFM Mental Health Treatment provides comprehensive psychiatric care, along with traditional therapeutic modalities. For OCD care, serotonergic antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clomipramine, are known to be effective.7 Our on-staff clinicians are equipped to design personalized treatment plans for your continued success. In combination with psychotherapy, psychiatric care is handled safely, to help you or your loved one overcome mental health challenges. 

Family Therapy Programs

Family therapy may be used when a loved one’s mental health symptoms are affecting others. This can increase a family members’ understanding of anxiety and talk about how to support each other, providing family members with support groups. Family therapy sessions can improve communication patterns, focus on problem-solving, address unresolved conflicts, and increase the sense of understanding among one another.

Holistic Therapy focuses on the mind-body-spirit connection, approaching the whole person when it comes to mental health treatment, rather than addressing a singular symptom or challenge at a time. By healing the whole person–encouraging balance and well-being for well-rounded growth, holistic therapy can build health habits that last a lifetime.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is a type of behavioral therapy used to treat OCD. A licensed mental health professional will help expose an individual to practice confronting the stimuli that provoke obsessions and compulsions. Then, the individual will practice making a new choice to avoid a compulsive behavior.

TMS Therapy is a type of therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat depression by stimulating certain areas of the brain. This is a noninvasive method of treatment that some mental health programs offer for treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Treatment Options for OCD

In this neurodiversity movement, it’s important to find personalized treatment plans for your particular mental health disorder, finding OCD treatment that meets your unique needs. At AMFM Mental Health Treatment, our compassionate care team has your personal mental health wellness in mind.

Inpatient/Residential Treatment

Residential mental health facilities are designed to offer mental health resources, structure, and treatment plans to those struggling with a variety of mental health conditions in a live-in environment. Because these are inpatient behavioral health programs, they offer a more holistic and hands-on, in-person treatment approach with 24/7 access to health care and personalized treatment plans. Our Residential Facilities have qualified clinicians on staff, to provide medication management, therapeutic programming, and the highest level of care.

Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP)

Intensive Outpatient Mental Health Treatment is a form of treatment designed to help those with mental health conditions through a combination of group and individual therapy. Qualified mental health professionals lead clients through behavioral health programming, providing personalized treatment plans, evidence-based programs, and psychoeducation resources. IOP programs provide comprehensive mental health treatment and thorough access to health care, but at a more flexible schedule. AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers outpatient programs in Virginia, Washington State, and California, with both in-person and virtual treatment options to meet your unique needs.

Partial Hospitalization Programming (PHP)

PHP is a form of mental health treatment designed to help those struggling with mental health issues through a combination of group and individual therapy, to improve well-being. Qualified mental health professionals lead clients through behavioral health programming, providing personalized treatment plans, evidence-based programs, and psychoeducation resources. PHP programs provide comprehensive mental health treatment and thorough access to health care, but at a more flexible schedule. Unlike inpatient residential treatment, the partial hospitalization program option only takes place during the day, allowing clients to return home at night and on the weekends, with less disruption to your daily life. This level of care may be helpful for those continuing studies or work in the evenings or on the weekends. AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers PHP in Virginia, Washington State, and California, with both in-person and virtual treatment options to meet your unique needs.

Verify Your Insurance

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

What to expect

Insurance Verification:

Our team will verify if your insurance provider is in-network with an AMFM Healthcare Facility.

Contact From Admission Representative:

Expect a call within an hour from an admissions representative to discuss treatment options.

By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

Bilodeau, K. (2024, March 26). Managing intrusive thoughts. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/managing-intrusive-thoughts 

What is OCD?. International OCD Foundation. (2025, February 5). https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ 

“Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy.” American Psychological Association, 31 October 2019, https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“APA Dictionary of Psychology.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/cognitive-behavior-therapy. Accessed 20 February 2025.

“What is EMDR?” EMDR Institute, https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

MA, Carlberg K. “Crisis Intervention – StatPearls.” NCBI, 24 April 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559081/. Accessed 20 February 2025.

Kellner M. Drug treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2010;12(2):187-97. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2010.12.2/mkellner. PMID: 20623923; PMCID: PMC3181958.