Sample Email - Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD
By Joyce M. Willis, MC, CPC

Hello K.,
Thank you for inquiring about Oppositional Defiant Disorder. I will explain what I can about the disorder. You state that you have it, yet don’t seem to consider it a hindrance in your day to day living. I appreciate your interest in wanting to learn more about this disorder.

According to the DSM-IV-TR, (which is the manual for the American Psychiatric Association), Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a recurring pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient and hostile behavior towards authority figures that persists for at least 6 months. This disorder is characterized by the frequent occurrence of at least four of the following criteria:

1. often loses temper
2. often argues with adults
3. often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules
4. often deliberately annoys people
5. often blames others for his or her mistakes or behaviors
6. is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
7. is often angry and resentful
8. is often spiteful or vindictive

The DSM-IV-TR also points out that a criterion is met only if the behavior occurs more frequently than is typically observed in individuals of comparable age and developmental level.

Examples of negativistic and defiant behaviors are persistent stubbornness, resistance to directions, and unwillingness to comprise, give in or negotiate with adults or peers. Defiance may also include deliberate or persistent testing of limits, usually ignoring orders, arguing, and failing to accept blame for misdeeds. Hostility can be directed at adults or peers and is shown by deliberately annoying others or verbal aggression. The behaviors associated with this disorder are often more present in the home setting and may or may not be present in school or work settings. Symptoms of the disorder are typically more evident in associations with adults and peers whom the individual knows well. Usually individuals with this disorder do not regard themselves as oppositional of defiant, but justify their behavior as a response to unreasonable demands or circumstances.

The disorder is more prevalent in males than in females before puberty, but the rates appear to be equal after puberty. The number of oppositional defiant symptoms tends to increase with age. Oppositional Defiant Disorder usually becomes evident before 8 years of age and usually no later than early adolescence. The oppositional symptoms often emerge in the home setting, yet over time may appear in social, school and work settings. Oppositional Defiant Disorder appears to be more common in families in which at least one parent has a history of a Mood Disorder, ODD, Conduct Disorder, or a Substance-Related Disorder.

The goals of treatment for ODD are:

• to begin to develop and demonstrate a healthy sense of respect for social norms, the rights of others and the need for honesty
• to improve the method of relating to the world, especially authority figures; be more realistic, less defiant and more socially sensitive.

I hope this helps you understand ODD better. One interesting thing about ODD is that often the person with this disorder does not consider it a disorder or does not see themselves as oppositional or defiant. My hope is that you will look at this honestly and consider talking to a counselor or other mental health professional so that you can prepare for adulthood in a more relaxed, realistic way.

Joyce M. Willis, MC, CPC

© 2004 AskTheInternetTherapist.com.