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