InSight Wellness Institute

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

Your brain will protect a belief long after it stops serving you, simply because you’ve repeated it the most.

02/22/2026

02/21/2026

Even though OCD and autism are distinct conditions, they can co-occur. Research suggests that up to 17% of autistic people also have OCD, much higher than in the general population. However, having one condition doesn’t automatically mean you have the other. Each condition comes with its own challenges, and when they overlap, the experience can be unique from having just OCD or just autism.

For example, someone with both OCD and autism might struggle with intense routines but feel unsure whether it comes from a need to relieve anxiety (OCD) or a strong preference for sameness and predictability (autism).

According to April Kilduff, LCPC, LMHC, LPCC, LPC, an autistic NOCD therapist, not all repetitive behaviors are compulsions. “For autistic individuals, routines and repetitive actions can be comforting, not distressing,” she explains. “The key is understanding whether a behavior is done to relieve anxiety (OCD) or as a form of self-regulation (autism). That distinction matters when creating a treatment plan.”

For children with both OCD and autism, this distinction can be even harder to spot. Parents may need professional guidance to differentiate between behaviors driven by anxiety and those that are simply part of their child’s neurodivergent way of engaging with the world. ( ❤️)

02/21/2026

When you change “This is stressful” to “This is manageable in small pieces,” your brain stops labeling the state as threatening and starts firing capability circuits.

02/19/2026

You can’t truly see the battle depression brings until you’ve felt your own mind turn against you—until even simple moments feel heavy. That’s why compassion matters, because some people are fighting battles you cannot see.

02/19/2026

A new study published in the Journal of Health Economic looked at the minimum legal drinking age and educational outcomes. “Our study examines whether raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 affects teenagers' drinking behaviour, academic performance, and mental health,” study autho...

02/19/2026

ADHD and autism (often termed "AuDHD" when co-occurring) are neurodevelopmental conditions that frequently overlap, with 50-80% of individuals with ADHD displaying autistic traits, and roughly 39-87% of autistic individuals having ADHD. Key symptoms include executive dysfunction, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, emotional dysregulation, and social communication challenges.
Symptoms of Combined ADHD and Autism (AuDHD)
Cognitive & Focus: A mix of ADHD-related distractibility/impulsivity and autism-related need for routine and structure, leading to a "novelty-seeking" yet "routine-loving" internal conflict.

Executive Dysfunction: High difficulty with planning, organization, and task initiation.
Social & Emotional: Complex social interaction challenges, often resulting in high emotional volatility, rejection sensitivity, and sensory overload.
Hyperfocus: Deep, intense focus on specific, often changing, interests.

Commonality and Diagnosis
Prevalence: Up to 80% of individuals with ADHD may have overlapping traits of autism.
Diagnosis: While once considered mutually exclusive, it is now common for individuals to be diagnosed with both. Evaluation should ideally be done by specialists familiar with both conditions.

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