Oppositional Defiant Disorder is described as an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behavior toward authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior. People who have it may appear very stubborn.
Temper tantrums, stealing, bullying, and vandalism are some of key symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder. ODD children may present as negative, defiant, unable to take “no” for an answer, deliberately annoying others, easily annoyed themselves, blaming others for all that goes wrong.
Many neglected and abused children are defiant given their lack of trust and anger over their mistreatment. ODD is more than that. It is behavior that lasts for at least six months and includes five or more of the following: loss of temper; arguing with adults (on just about everything); refusal to obey; deliberately annoying others; blaming others for his own mistakes; being touchy and easily annoyed; angry; resentful; spiteful and vindictive; swearing and using obscene language; and impulsive. Parents of these children must be firm and consistent. Family counseling is imperative.