Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD is a common diagnosis assigned to children who are typically seen in the mental health field or involved with social services. It is characterized by the exhibition of blatant defiance and vindictiveness towards authority figures or caregivers.

Symptoms of ODD may include:

• Frequent temper tantrums

• Excessive arguing with adults

• Often questioning rules

• Active defiance and refusal to comply with adult requests and rules

• Deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people

• Blaming others for their mistakes or misbehavior

• Often being touchy/sensitive or easily annoyed by others

• Frequent anger and resentment

• Mean and hateful/(vindictive) talking when upset

• Spiteful attitude and revenge-seeking for perceived wrongs 

Often ODD is commonly accompanied by an ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis although it can also co-occur with depression or anxiety. 

ADHD symptoms predominantly include symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that are not consistent with the developmental stage of the child or adolescent. This may present through any of the following behaviors:

• Difficulty concentrating/frequently distracted

• Difficulties listening for expected time periods

• Difficulty remaining seated or still

• Frequent forgetfulness

• Messiness/disorganization

• Reluctance towards activities involving prolonged mental activity

• Excessively talking, running, jumping, or climbing when not appropriate

• Often interrupts or intrudes upon others

• Difficulty taking turns or waiting appropriately

• Frequent fidgeting or moving of hands and feet

• Impulsive/inability to control or resist reckless behavior or thoughts

It is important to remember that while these children and adolescents can be difficult to work with, at times violent, explosive, and reluctant to trust others, particularly those in any position of authority over them; they are not bad children or people.

ODD is fairly common in adolescents, in fact, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (ACAP), estimates that 1-16% of all children and adolescents have been diagnosed with ODD. Keep in mind that children involved with social services may come from broken homes, foster care, residential care, or group homes after possibly being exposed to neglect or various forms of abuse. They often lack the structure, stability, discipline, prosocial behaviors, emotional intelligence, impulse control, and caregiving necessary to engage in less destructive behavior patterns naturally. If they are grappling with ADHD, Anxiety, or depression symptoms in addition to or as the result of these circumstances, they will not always be able to adequately voice their concerns and feelings appropriately. This is generally due to an inability to know how to communicate, understand or recognize the symptoms that may further prompt the behavioral responses often witnessed in ODD. 

Frustrations, anxieties, resentment, and depression can develop in these adolescents based on different events occurring in their lives depending on their environment and social relationships with peers, teachers, and family members. Often psychological traumas may be occurring also with children involved in social services. For others dealing with ADHD, frustrations may lie in not understanding their inability to focus despite multiple demands for attention during school and other environments.

Working with a therapist who is skilled in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and CBT(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be helpful in working to increase their tolerance and understanding of difficult emotions or distress tolerance, exploring and challenging negative thoughts, engaging in grounding, practice mindfulness, practice emotional regulation and processing.

It can be admittedly difficult for parents raising a child with an ODD diagnosis and even more challenging if there is a dual diagnosis of ADHD as well. A plethora of patience is necessary for engaging with adolescents suffering from the symptoms of ODD and ADHD, but when you’re ready, with a clinician you and your child trust, you can begin a journey to establishing more positive behaviors and developing a better understanding of your child. You can also help your child develop more inner peace and learn to better communicate their internal struggle so that you can provide the best support to them.