Anyone with a child with ODD? | ADHD Information
If the ODD behaviors go away when stimulant medication kicks in you need to question a diagnosis of ODD. ADHD behaviors can look like ODD and more times than not, ODD is diagnosed along with bipolar disorder. When its truly ODD, the behaviors don't go away on stimulant medication. The behavoirs are impulsive, not defiant. In defiance the child is capable of a thinking before they act (they are making a choice not to obey). With ADHD, the child acts without thinking (impulsivity.....no choice is being made....acting in the moment) You can read a list of symptoms and decide this is what your child has but in truth, even professionals have a hard time diagnosing ODD. Most of the symptoms you list above are also indicative of ADHD (with the exception of spiteful and vindictive) so we need to be careful when labeling and stick with a trusted professional diagnosis when we want definitive answers. Sometimes if a diagnosis is made by a professional, if we question the diagnosis then we need to get a second opinion. As a parent, when you get a gut feeling act on it. Hope this helps.
Yes! Very much so!! Ya I was feeling a little puzzled on how it all went way on meds. Thank you so much for this advice!! Your right he would still act that way even on meds. That never crossed my mind until you said that. I will look into that! Thank ever so much!! Your so very welcome
I'm so glad I could be of some help. The more knoweldge we gain the better equipped we become to help out children in terms of making informed decisions.
My daughter also exhibited ODD behaviors along with a behavior that was out of control (hitting, biting, throwing things, etc). She was easily frustrated with anything that was difficult or challenging. The terrible behavior is which caused us to get a consultation with her doctor who was the first to suggest ADHD. That got me reading/researching the piece fit together. Not long after, we had an evaluation done and she was diagnosed with ADHD. Finding the right medication at the right dosage has made all the difference in the world for my daughter. When she had appropriate coverage through out the day, meltdowns in the evenings were greatly reduced. 90%+ of the ODD behaviors went away. The rest I am left with are normal preteen stuff.
We also worked with a counselor that helped us with the behavioral side of things. Keeping a journal was really helpful in looking for patterns and predicting things that would cause issues. We could then avoid those situations or prepare her ahead of time to try to avoid the meltdown. We did a lot of emotion coaching and also became really hard core about certain lines she was not allowed to cross.
Books that are helpful: The Explosive Child, 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child, Chaos to Calm, Have a New Kid by Friday
HorseMom39950.3998263889My son had ADHD as well as ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). The ODD is coming out very hard right now and I need some help in what to do.
This is David (from a ODD website)
A pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least six months during which four or more of the following are present: 1. Often loses temper 2. often argues with adults 3. often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules 4. often deliberately annoys people 5. often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior 6. is often touchy or easily annoyed by others 7. is often angry and resentful 8. is often spiteful and vindictive But oddly as soon as his Folican kicks in EVERYTHING goes away until its out of his system. Can anyone give me some advice? What is going on?!
A little update - he will be going to get a revaluation to see if he may have Bipolar Disorder. His dad we believe has it (he is a book right out of the page). Getting another evaluation sounds like a good idea.
My recommendation (as mom and not a medical expert) is to be cautious with a bipolar diagnosis. There are many things that overlap and before my daughter's adhd was appropriately managed and some behavioral therapy - she might have fallen in the bucket. On the right med's totally different kid. I also have a good friend whose son is also ADHD and bipolar. When I look at his actions and behavior and compare them to my daughter they are very different.
The one things that keeps sticking out in your posts is that most of the ODD behaviors are gone with his ADHD med's in his system. I would think (and I could be totally wrong), but if it were bipolar - you wouldn't notice the huge difference on stimulants. In some cases stimulants make bipolar worse.
Good luck with your revaluation.
HorseMom wrote:
The one things that keeps sticking out in your posts is that most of the ODD behaviors are gone with his ADHD med's in his system. I would think (and I could be totally wrong), but if it were bipolar - you wouldn't notice the huge difference on stimulants. In some cases stimulants make bipolar worse.
Actually, your absolutely right Horsemom and what you said above validates what I said in a prior post. You make some very good points. Good luck with the reevaluation wildman02. Your doing the right thing as you may get more definitive answers.
wildman02 wrote:
Really!? The meds wont really make a difference? If thats the case then ya he dont have bipolar! Its like a light switch
I spoke about this in my very first post on this thread when I explained that if ODD was co existing with ADHD, stimulant meds woulndt make the ODD go away and I explained why. What you really need to do is have your child tested and sit down and ask a professional these questions. There are vast distinctions between bipolar and ADHD but only and expert can explain it and also make a differential diagnosis. Your child also suffers from lead poisening which may account for certain behaviors but we are not doctors.
Write down all of your questions and based on the results,ask the doctor as many questions you need to in order to give you clarity on the subject.
Please let us know how things work out
I see these behaviors in my daughter when she has not gotten 10 hrs of sleep or when she is hungry. She eats nothing from breakfast until the meds wear off. She's a bear when there is some topic at school that she has to do daily and does not get. But she does not tell me, I have to quiz her to identify the problem. I don't see it as ODD. I see it as me needing to keep the balance right. I think some ADHD kids are emotionally impulsive. She is far more responsive to rewards and compliments than she is to consequences. Yes i agree vitamins are very important!