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