The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) refers to this ongoing pattern of defiance and hostility towards authority figures as Oppositional Defiant Disorder.



The symptoms are:
1. Inability to control temper
2. Argumentative especially with adults
3. Actively defiant. Refusing to comply.
4. Blaming behavior. Not taking responsibility for own actions.
5. Baits others, attempting to annoy and upset.
6. Touchy and quick to take offence.
7. Anger and resentment
8. Communications marked by vitriolic, bitter speech.
9. Thoughts and talk of revenge.

As can be imagined this condition targets the adults closest to the child and can be particularly challenging for parents. The causes are as yet unknown but environment and biology do play a role.  Parents report that the child with ODD was more difficult to deal than siblings at an earlier age.

It is important the both the child and the parents receive adequate support if ODD is diagnosed. The condition characteristically involves the destruction of harmony for all family members so the family needs all the help and support it can get.

The process of diagnosis must be undertaken by a qualified and experienced specialist, as symptoms must be screened for evidence of other co-existing conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities and mood disorders. If these underlying conditions are not detected at the outset they will make the progress of recovery slower than necessary.