At least one of these symptoms must be displayed with someone who is not a sibling. The categories and symptoms include:Angry or irritable mood, which includes symptoms like:<ul><li>often losing their temper</li><li>being touchy</li><li>being easily annoyed</li><li>often becoming angry or resentful</li></ul>

Behavioural pattern of the victim of ODD

Individual cognitive behavioral therapy: A psychologist will work with the child to improve:<ul><li>anger management skills</li><li>communication skills</li><li>impulse control</li><li>problem-solving skills</li></ul>They may also be able to identify potential contributing factors.

Therapies applied for treating ODD

Family therapy: A psychologist will work with the whole family to make changes. This can help parents find support and learn strategies for handling their child’s ODD.Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT): Therapists will coach the parents as they interact with their children. Parents can learn more effective parenting techniques.Peer groups: The child can learn how to improve their social skills and relationships with other children.Medications: These can help treat causes of ODD, such as <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression">depression </a>or ADHD. However, there is no specific medication to treat ODD itself.

Following therapies have been very useful for treating ODD

Argumentative or defiant behavior, which includes symptoms like:<ul><li>having frequent arguments with authority figures or adults</li><li>actively defying requests from authority figures</li><li>refusing to comply with requests from authority figures</li><li>deliberately annoying others</li><li>blaming others for misbehavior</li></ul>Vindictiveness <ul><li>acting spitefully at least twice in a six-month period</li></ul>

Adults with ODD can manage their disorder by:<ul><li>accepting responsibility for their actions and behaviors</li><li>using <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mindfulness-tricks-to-reduce-anxiety">mindfulness </a>and deep breathing to keep their temper under control</li><li>finding <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/10-ways-to-relieve-stress">stress-relieving activities </a>, such as <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise">exercise </a></li></ul>

The disorder is often difficult to diagnose in adults because many of the symptoms overlap with <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/antisocial-personality-disorder#Overview1">antisocial behaviors </a>, substance abuse, and other disorders.There is no proven cause of ODD, but there are theories that can help identify potential causes. It’s thought a combination of environmental, biological, and psychological factors cause ODD. For example, it’s more common in families with a history of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) </a>.

Diagnosis of ODD

ODD is a behavioral disorder that results in defiance and anger against authority. It can affect a person’s work, school, and social life.ODD affects between <a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/mental_health_disorders/oppositional_defiant_disorder_90,P02573/">1 and 16 percent </a>of school age children. It’s more common in boys than girls. Many children start to show symptoms of ODD between the ages of 6 and 8 years. ODD also occurs in adults. Adults with ODD who were not diagnosed as children often go undiagnosed.

ODD: Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

<ul><li>frequent temper tantrums or episodes of anger</li><li>refusal to comply with adult requests</li><li>excessive arguing with adults and authority figures</li><li>always questioning or actively disregarding rules</li><li>behavior intended to upset, annoy, or anger others, especially authority figures</li><li>blaming others for their own mistakes or misbehaviors</li><li>being easily annoyed</li><li>vindictiveness</li></ul>

ODD Among Children

<ul><li>feeling angry at the world</li><li>feeling misunderstood or disliked</li><li>strong dislike for authority, including supervisors at work</li><li>identifying as a rebel</li><li>defending themselves vehemently and not being open to feedback</li><li>blaming others for their own mistakes</li></ul>

ODD Among Adults

<ul><li>increasing positive reinforcements and reducing negative reinforcements</li><li>using consistent punishment for bad behavior</li><li>using predictable and immediate parenting responses</li><li>modeling positive interactions in the household</li><li>reducing environmental or situational triggers (For example, if your child’s disruptive behaviors seem to increase with a lack of sleep, make sure they get enough sleep.)</li></ul>

While even the most mild-mannered children have occasional outbursts, a persistent pattern of anger, defiance, and vindictiveness against authority could be a sign of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). ODD can affect your work, school, and social life. Learn more about symptoms and strategies to help manage ODD.