Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Symptoms & Diagnosis

According to W. Douglas Tynan, PhD, “ODD is usually diagnosed when a child has a persistent or consistent pattern of disobedience and hostility toward parents, teachers, or other adults.” The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry lists the following specific symptoms:
• frequent temper tantrums
• excessive arguing with adults
• active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules
• deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
• blaming others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
• often being touchy or easily annoyed by others
• frequent anger and resentment
• mean and hateful talking when upset
• seeking revenge

MentalHealth.com offers a similar list of symptoms, suggesting that the presence of four or more symptoms over a period of at least six months is a danger sign.

The symptoms are usually more noticeable at home or in school, though they may be observed in a variety of settings. Many parents report that their children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder were more rigid and demanding than the children’s siblings from an early age.

A child who displays ODD symptoms should be given a comprehensive evaluation that also tests for other disorders which may be present (e.g. attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, learning disabilities and anxiety disorders).

>> Next Article