Sometimes it's difficult to recognize the difference between a strong-willed or emotional child and one with oppositional defiant disorder. It's common for children to show oppositional behavior at certain stages of development. Symptoms of ODD generally begin during preschool years. Sometimes ODD may develop later, but almost always before the early teen years. Oppositional and defiant behaviors are frequent and ongoing. They cause severe problems with relationships, social activities, school and work, for both the child and the family. ODD ODD Emotional and behavioral symptoms of ODD generally last at least six months. They include angry and irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, and hurtful and revengeful behavior. ODD Angry and irritable mood 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 Argumentative and defiant behavior  Often argues with adults or people in authority. Often actively defies or refuses to follow adults' requests or rules. Often annoys or upsets people on purpose. Often blames others for their own mistakes or misbehavior.  Hurtful and revengeful behavior Hurtful and revengeful behavior  Says mean and hateful things when upset. Tries to hurt the feelings of others and seeks revenge, also called being vindictive. Has shown vindictive behavior at least twice in the past six months.  Severity Severity ODD can be mild, moderate or severe: ODD  Mild. Symptoms occur only in one setting, such as only at home, school, work or with peers. Moderate. Some symptoms occur in at least two settings. Severe. Some symptoms occur in three or more settings.  For some children, symptoms may first be seen only at home. But with time, problem behavior also may happen in other settings, such as school, social activities and with friends.
it's difficult recognize difference strong-willed emotional child oppositional defiant disorder  it's common children show oppositional behavior stages development  symptoms odd generally begin preschool years  odd may develop later  early teen years  oppositional defiant behaviors frequent ongoing  cause severe problems relationships  social activities  school work  child family  odd odd emotional behavioral symptoms odd generally last least months  include angry irritable mood  argumentative defiant behavior  hurtful revengeful behavior  odd angry irritable mood angry irritable mood  easily loses temper  frequently touchy easily annoyed others  angry resentful   argumentative defiant behavior argumentative defiant behavior  argues adults people authority  actively defies refuses follow adults' requests rules  annoys upsets people purpose  blames mistakes misbehavior   hurtful revengeful behavior hurtful revengeful behavior  says mean hateful upset  tries hurt feelings seeks revenge  called being vindictive  shown vindictive behavior least twice past months   severity severity odd can mild  moderate severe: odd  mild  symptoms occur only setting  only home  school  work peers  moderate  symptoms occur least settings  severe  symptoms occur settings   children  symptoms may first seen only home  time  problem behavior may happen settings  school  social activities friends
oppositional defiant disorder