Recognizing oppositional defiant disorder in children involves observing an ongoing pattern of specific, hostile behaviors toward persons of authority. These behaviors may include disobedience, irritability, and provoking behaviors. Other symptoms include perpetual anger and hostility, impaired social interactions with other children, and constant trouble with school authorities. Children who have oppositional defiant disorder demonstrate these behaviors regularly. If the condition is left untreated, children may eventually develop a conduct disorder and perhaps even antisocial personality disorder.
While some children are simply high-energy and may have difficulty with self-control, particularly when they are young, oppositional defiant disorder in children manifests itself in some distinctly unpleasant ways. A child with the condition does not simply demonstrate high spirits, but his behavior is sufficiently bad that even those in his own peer group may reject him. Instead of receiving correction or discipline from appropriate authority figures, he may attempt to make the situation worse by seeking revenge or making hateful threats. Children with the condition may also refuse to accept any responsibility for their behavior and may not learn to correct their behavior through standard forms of discipline.
Parents and others who are concerned about whether a child has oppositional defiant disorder should keep in mind that many children demonstrate argumentative and disruptive behavior at various times. For example, the so-called terrible twos is characterized by defiant behavior on the part of children who are beginning to assert their individuality. Such behavior is actually considered to be a normal part of the development process. Similarly, as children enter adolescence, defiant behavior may also reappear on a regular basis as the child begins to transition into adulthood. In addition, children who are experiencing various types of stress may also demonstrate these behaviors.
As the symptoms of the disorder can also be found in developmentally normal children, the key to a good diagnosis can be found by observing the child in various settings over a period of time. Observations made by parents, teachers, and other regular caregivers can provide mental health professionals with the information needed to make an accurate diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder in children. Other mental health conditions, including attention deficit disorder and autism spectrum conditions, may easily be confused with oppositional defiant disorder, so it is important that a qualified mental health professional evaluate a child for these conditions before settling on the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder.
