ODD can vary in severity but the most common symptoms are listed below:
Angry and irritable mood:
- Often and easily loses temper
- Is frequently touchy and easily annoyed by others
- Is often angry and resentful
Argumentative and defiant behavior:
- Often argues with adults or people in authority
- Often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
- Often deliberately annoys or upsets people
- Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
Vindictiveness:
- Is often spiteful or vindictive
- Has shown spiteful or vindictive behavior at least twice in the past six months
Managing ODD
Medications alone generally aren’t used for ODD unless there is another mental health disorder.
Techniques to manage behavior include;
- Giving clear instructions and following through with appropriate consequences when needed
- Recognizing and praising good behaviors and positive characteristics to promote desired behaviors
