Oppositional Defiant Disorder in the ADHD Child

For many children, ages two to three, the tendency to test to the threshold level of a parent is quite common. However, as a child ages, the tendency to push the limits, exhibit angry outbursts and test authority should dissipate. For children with Attention Deficit Disorder, these symptoms may never dissipate and may, instead, proliferate into a co-morbid condition known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder. For parents, this compounds the stress in parenting and raising a child already diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Understanding the characteristics of the Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the various treatment options and the potential for recovery, will assist parents in gathering the resources necessary to raise the ADHD child into a productive adult.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is defined as a personality trait in which consistent hostile and negative behavior is present for greater than six months. Behavior patterns such an easy loss of temper, blaming others for mistakes, excessive arguing with adults, challenging authority and failure to follow directions and rules are often present. While these symptoms are also consistent with a child suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder, the parent of a child co-morbid for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) will find the pattern to be much more significant. In fact, the behavior is known to impair peer relationships, academic performance and familial relationships.