Oppositional Defiant Disorder

 

It's normal for children or adolescents to demonstrate oppositional behavior at certain stages in their development and it can be hard to recognize the difference between a strong-willed or tempermental child and one with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD); almost all children can be difficult and challenging at times and this is especially true during the toddler or teenage years. The difference is that children and adolescents with ODD exhibit a persistent pattern of anger, irritability, and defiance toward parents, authority figures and others that interfere with the child's daily functioning. These children often present as argumentative and noncompliant. They may have frequent temper tantrums and can lose their temper very quickly. They typically blame others for their own mistakes and have difficulty getting along with others. The symptoms of ODD are usually seen in multiple settings but may be more noticeable at home or at school.