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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffIt may be tough at times to recognize the difference between a strong-willed or emotional child and one with oppositional defiant disorder. Certainly there's a range between the normal independence-seeking behavior of children and oppositional defiant disorder. It's normal to exhibit oppositional behaviors at certain stages of a child's development.
However, your child's issue may be oppositional defiant disorder if your child's oppositional behaviors:
- Are persistent
- Have lasted at least six months
- Are clearly disruptive to the family and home or school environment
The following are behaviors associated with ODD:
- Negativity
- Defiance
- Disobedience
- Hostility directed toward authority figures
These behaviors might cause your child to regularly and consistently show these symptoms:
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Argumentativeness with adults
- Refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
- Deliberate annoyance of other people
- Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior
- Acting touchy and easily annoyed
- Anger and resentment
- Spiteful or vindictive behavior
- Aggressiveness toward peers
- Difficulty maintaining friendships
- Academic problems
Related mental health issues
Oppositional defiant disorder often occurs along with other behavioral or mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or depression. The symptoms of ODD may be difficult to distinguish from those of other behavioral or mental health problems.
It's important to diagnose and treat any co-occurring illnesses because they can create or worsen irritability and defiance if left untreated. Additionally, it's important to identify and treat any related substance abuse and dependence. Substance abuse and dependence in children or adolescents is often associated with irritability and changes in the child or adolescent's usual personality.
