Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a recurrent pattern of defiant, disobedient, oppositional, negative, and hostile behavior towards adults/authority figures. Children with ODD have four or more of the following symptoms:
- Actively does not follow adults’ requests
- Angry and resentful of others
- Argues with adults
- Blames others for own mistakes or misbehaviors
- Has few or no friends or has lost friends
- Is in constant trouble in school
- Loses temper
- Spiteful or vindictive
- Touchy or easily annoyed
Symptoms must be present for at least six months and occur more frequently than is typical for age and developmental level. The behavior must lead to significant problems in school or social activities. The ODD child lives by the philosophy that “you are not the boss of me,” and constant battles result in a cycle of negativity between the parent and the child.
