There are many similarities between Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. The behavioural habits of Autistic Spectrum Condition's are closer to that of OCD rather than Schizophrenia although I find it hard to understand in some aspects the differences between the two. I get in the shower at 9.30pm every Sunday evening without fail, and have done so since Sunday 7th September 1997. I have to, otherwise I get very agitated. My mind is at rest when I do.
I don't sit up all night washing money or washing my hands. I never have done. Do I have traits of OCD but not enough to be diagnosed? Are my routines part of my AS which I undeniably have? It is probably AS in my case... but it is a fact that behavioural habits that the two conditions often share are activities such as lining up objects, performing rituals at certain times of the day and stacking objects in a repetitive manner.
Like those with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, people with OCD are not psychotic or delusional. Like those with ASC's, OCD sufferers are in touch with reality, but they can't control or stop their actions and behaviour, regardless of how much they would wish to be able to do so.
Other common behaviour in those who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder include a fear of vomiting, repeatedly checking that things are switched off around the house and cleaning things repetitively. The development of routines or rituals occurs, but the OCD sufferer is often unable to stop performing them.
Many people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions do similar things and throw tantrums if something in the room is moved or if furniture is rearranged from their earliest days.
A person with an Autistic Spectrum condition often finds a great deal of comfort in rearranging items and fulfilling routines. The person with OCD does it not because he or she gets comfort out of it, but because they feel they have to and because they feel it relieves any internal anxiety neurosis which they have.
The social and interaction skills, as well as behaviour of those who have OCD is likely to be more 'appropriate' than that of people with an ASC. People with OCD don't have savant abilities like some with Autistic Spectrum Conditions can have.
Children who go onto develop OCD are likely to indulge in fantasy and pretend play in childhood. Whereas most children who have an ASC wouldn't do so as a rule. Children who develop OCD in later life or adults with it don't make socially embarrassing remarks such as "That man's fat isn't he?" in front of someone's face, or proclaim loudly "Why does my nan smell and talk to herself?" in their grandmother's and parents presence. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can occur in childhood, but it is quite rare for it to do so, whereas the characteristics of both Autism and Asperger's Syndrome are seen very early in the lives of the individuals affected with either condition.
In many people who have OCD, the obsessions, routines and checking can be treated by means such as medication and psychotherapy. This is inappropriate for ASC's. It will not stop their symptoms. OCD can even be cured, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can playing a part in this.
The symptoms and behaviour of a person with an Autistic Spectrum Condition NEVER go away or disappear, even if improvements do occur as the subject gets older. With OCD most of the symptoms can come and go. With ASC's the core features are present constantly and no respite ever occurs. Not at any age.
Co-ordination trouble isn't usually seen in individuals with the OCD disability like in those who have Asperger's Syndrome. Most of those who have OCD or who have gone onto develop it possess ordinary physical co-ordination. Hypersensitivity to noise, clothes and touch does not happen in people who have OCD. It happens in those who have Autistic Spectrum Conditions.
It appears that many of those who have OCD are often perfectionists and highly sensitive people who lack confidence and think they are among life's failures. They have low self-esteem and have low opinions of themselves or their worth.
What Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Schizophrenia and OCD all have in common is that it is difficult for someone who is afflicted, as they are invisible to the public in appearance, and therefore do not attract positive media coverage or natural sympathy. None of them can be diagnosed in a person simply by sight. The behaviour seen and exhibited by someone suspected of having any of these conditions is what leads to them being diagnosed, not an EEG scan or an operation.
