| When loved ones are struggling with the world around | | | | of help, just as those who are dealing with the |
| them it's difficult to know what to do, particularly if you | | | | consequences of these extremely disruptive |
| cannot understand the source of their problems. | | | | behaviors, need professional help and guidance to |
| While understanding may not solve the issues, it can | | | | cope. |
| go a long way toward healing relationships and building | | | | The symptoms of ODD do NOT respond to |
| a good foundation for treatment. Proper diagnosis and | | | | medication - if there are other underlying disorders |
| education on the facts of any behavioral disorder will | | | | these may be treated pharmacologically. Instead |
| drastically increase the chances of your loved one | | | | physicians generally prescribe Psychotherapy, |
| thriving rather than just surviving. | | | | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Training |
| Two Disorders With Two Different Causes | | | | Programs. |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention Deficit | | | | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
| Hyperactivity Disorder are often confused because of | | | | In contrast to ODD, children and adults suffering from |
| symptoms that on the surface seem quite similar. | | | | ADHD are generally not angry but frustrated by |
| Children, teenagers and adults all have the potential to | | | | information overload. ADHD sufferers want to be |
| suffer from ODD or ADHD, making their lives and the | | | | good students or employees; they want to follow |
| lives of their families much more difficult. | | | | directions and feel very bad if they find themselves in |
| In order to fully grasp what issues your child or spouse | | | | trouble with others. Unfortunately they are often in |
| might be facing you need to look at what behaviors | | | | trouble because of impulsive behavior, inattention or |
| their disorder compels them to act upon and what | | | | hyperactivity. |
| motivates them initially. | | | | ADHD affects the way the brain receives and |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder | | | | interprets information and stimulus from the outside |
| Everyone at some point in their lives has experienced | | | | world. Thoughts, images, sights, sounds and smells race |
| what are called "oppositional feelings". Moments where | | | | through the mind at lightning speed and overwhelm the |
| you really don't care about the consequences of your | | | | ADHD sufferer. Unable to focus on any one specific |
| actions, you just want to argue with someone in a | | | | thing it leads to disorganization, time-management |
| position of authority. Maybe it was during your | | | | problems, procrastination and inattention. Hyperactivity |
| rebellious teen years or maybe at some other point in | | | | and impulse control problems also affect some |
| time, but you were angry, negative, generally feeling | | | | ADHDers and cause them to struggle in school and |
| hostile and wanting to 'take it out' on the entire world. | | | | work situations. Those who are overwhelmed with |
| This is how someone with ODD feels almost all the | | | | ADHD shut down emotionally from time to time. Many |
| time. | | | | ADHDers have been accused of laziness because of |
| Moody and argumentative, children and adults suffering | | | | their physical need for downtime. |
| from ODD will throw temper tantrums on a consistent | | | | ADHD can be treated with medication. Physicians |
| basis, refuse to follow rules, blame others for their | | | | often prescribe a stimulant medication to help the brain |
| mistakes, act aggressive, spiteful and vindictive, will | | | | focus while patients learn skills to combat behavioral |
| annoy peers deliberately, will argue with anyone in a | | | | problems. |
| position of authority, are touchy and will often use foul | | | | Despite their issues ADHDers are usually happy, show |
| language. Due to these outbursts and negative | | | | empathy, remorse and get along well with peers and |
| behaviors people with ODD usually have few or no | | | | younger people. |
| friends. | | | | Proper diagnosis of your loved ones behavioral |
| Anyone suffering from ODD is distressed and in need | | | | disorder is the only way to receive proper care. |