ODD and ADHD can they have both? | ADHD Information

Hi,

Yes, children can have both ADHD and ODD. My five year old has been diagnosed with both. His ADHD meds have helped a lot. His pediatric psychiatrist has also added Risperdal; which they give for ODD to help with the outburst.

It's hard. It's a trial and error kind of thing. Good luck.

I can completely see how ADHD triggers the ODD.  When you are on the receiving end of a ton of negative feedback and outright anger for the first years of your life, the natural reaction is to be defiant.  Even "normal", well-behaved adults become defiant in a negative work situation, for example.  Seems like human nature.

My son also shows some of these defiant behaviors but is a real sweetheart when the meds are right.  We are also learning to mete out punishment in smaller doses and praise in larger ones, which is helping.  The marble system is just the best reinforcer ever -- it's visual, it's auditory (clink), it's instant, you can use it to reinforce every tiny positive step, and it results in big rewards for the kids.

This summer I made the mistake of keeping my son undermedicated in that I would give him Ritalin on an "as needed" basis.  I thought that this was a good thing because less medication was needed, but after reading these forums I have learned that it was a really bad thing because he was rebounding all the time.  He was having so many tantrums that I felt like we were back in the very-terrible-twos.  Having the right dose and keeping it consistent is so important.  I hope that a higher dose of Concerta helps your son.

Joy2

Well, we did up my son's dose of concerta from 18 mgs to 27 mgs. and things are going much smoother!  Lots less outbursts and fits.  It is nice to have the medicine balancing him out again.  Sometimes I have a small bit of guilt about medicating my kid to keep me able to tolerate him.  But on the other end, it is so much better for the whole household if I am not angry, frustrated and stressed about my son.

 

His teacher has seen a lot of changes since we went up to 27 mgs.  His handwriting has gotten much better, and she said that he seems to really be trying hard and doing a great job too.

 

Joy2, it was never a thought for me to consider not medicating my ds everyday.  It was offered that we could not treat him on the weekends or summer, but since I was having more issues with him at home than they were having at school.  It was mandatory for me to have him tolerable.  I am so happy the options of meds were there for us.  I don't know how we would have coped if that was not an option.  Counseling and anger management courses were sort of helpful, but not enough.  Let's face it, when anyone is mad they want to lash out, but us grown adults can usually contain ourselves, but my son couldnt'.  It is hard to think of better ways to handle situations when you're furious, so I understand why my son couldn't always apply what he learned on the spot!

 

Anyway, I am relieved to say that things are looking up for now.  Lately my biggest worry is just him and friends.

 

 

My son in 13 years old and has been on meds for ADHD since he was 8. Adderall really relieved his symptoms for a number of years. His Dr. insisted changing meds to vyvance after 2 months of ODD and being out of control we are not sure if this can be hormone issue as he is approaching the teen years. Does anyone know if ODD becomes more prevelent with teen years? We are consulting on changing back to Adderall

Thanks!

I'm starting to wonder if my son has ODD.  I was doing some research and found this bit of info:

Symptoms

The key behavioural symptoms of ODD are negative, hostile and defiant behaviour. For ODD to be diagnosed, symptoms have to have been present for at least six months and involve four or more of the following:

often loses temper

often argues with adults

often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules

often deliberately annoys people

often blames others for his mistakes or misbehaviour

often touchy or easily annoyed by others

often angry and resentful

often spiteful or vindictive.

To be classified as ODD, the behaviour also has to have caused a significant degree of disturbance to home, social or school life.

 

My son pretty much has all of the above going on!  Does the medicine that treats AD/HD help with ODD, or does something else need to be taken as well?  My son is on a low dose of Concerta, and I wonder if it is time to up the dose to see if he can stop this ugly behavior that is so hard to deal with!

 

Anyone out there dealt with ODD and ADHD??? Any advice?

My son has both of those and the ADHD meds help SO much!   I mean, he still has signs of some of them...but no where near as bad as they were......good luck!     

I don’t come with a lot of experience as we had our official diagnosis of ADHD last spring and another diagnosis of Sensory Integration Disorder in August, so take this with a grain of salt.