Does O.D.D. (oppositional defiant disorder) exist for adults; if so, what is the treatment?

Question

I know a person who is in his 50's (average I.Q) and seems to display some of the symptoms, even though O.D.D. is typically not an adult disorder. He does things that make people upset or annoyed with him, and has managed to drive me crazy! Some of the things include causing arguments and controversy, insulting people indirectly, obsession to be noticed by others, talking too loudly, ignoring "common courtesy" manners in public or private, and saying the same phrases or doing the same things during specific activities or cues that seem to bring out OCD-like symptoms.

He was never really loved by his parents and came from an emotionally and physically turmultuous household. Unfortunately, though, his behavior seems to drive people away like having bad breath.

What can be done for a grown man who exihibits such behavior? Is there a particular method of behavior modification that can be implemented on a subconscious level that could positively alter these types of behaviors?

Answer 1

Foremost, I think this person is most fortunate to have you as his friend.

I hope you will give yourself all the support you deserve...including a way to vent your own frustrations.

We have a family member who, with his parents, did behavior modification therapy with fair results. But, it's pretty hard to put an adult into time out . .

He was a totally beloved child . . . truly a miracle after years of infertility.

He would now be classified as "failure to bond".

But his parents were so committed and in love with this baby that they overcame every defense he could put up.

He's now an adult and has an anxiety disorder that dove-tails with him being ADHD--and, no, he was never treated for that.

He's fortunate in that he's found a job that lets him work off hyper energy.

He also has a mature doctor who has him on anti-anxiety medication with good results.

In truth, I cannot imagine your friend improving without medication

Ideally, under supervision of a teaching university hospital psych staff who have access to the most cutting edge information.

As a member of the medical community who believed for too many years that psychoanalysis could fix anything, I now acknowledge that we now have access to psycho-pharmaceutical drugs which we could hardly imagine even twenty years ago.

I believe things will improve for your friend, and for you, when he gets the help he needs & deserves.

Explain it to him this way:
We are each & everyone largely the result of the way our brains are wired...

Wiring is genetic, as is adhd, depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, etc.
not to mention diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

If he resists the idea of taking medication, explain that this is no different than a diabetic using insulin...

Above all, spread the message that

DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS
NOT A WEAKNESS.

I wish you both a happier future.
pkm

Answer 2

My information suggests this condition is limited to children..but may become a more prominent conduct disorder in adulthood if not addressed during childhood.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association defines oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as a recurrent pattern of negativistic, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least 6 months. Behaviors included in the definition include the following: losing one's temper; arguing with adults; actively defying requests; refusing to follow rules; deliberately annoying other people; blaming others for one's own mistakes or misbehavior; being touchy, easily annoyed or angered, resentful, spiteful, or vindictive.

ODD is usually diagnosed when a child has a persistent or consistent pattern of disobedience and hostility toward parents, teachers, or other adults. The primary behavioral difficulty is the consistent pattern of refusing to follow commands or requests by adults. Children with ODD are often easily annoyed; they repeatedly lose their temper, argue with adults, refuse to comply with rules and directions, and blame others for their mistakes. Stubbornness and testing limits are common, even in early childhood.

The criteria for ODD are met only when the problem behaviors occur more frequently in the child than in other children of the same age and developmental level. These behaviors cause significant difficulties with family and friends, and the oppositional behaviors are the same both at home and in school. Sometimes, ODD may be a precursor of a conduct disorder. ODD is not diagnosed if the problematic behaviors occur exclusively with a mood or psychotic disorder.

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2791.htm - for the rest of the article.

PAC

Answer 3

This may not be ODD, but some other disorder that has developed. He may have had the ODD, but it could have developed into something else. ADHD still exists for adults, and these are some of the symptoms of it.

Or this could be a habit that he has developed to get attention.

Answer 4

It probably can exist in adults if it was never addressed in childhood. Looking at his age, ODD was not likely even known or recognized at that time in his life. He is seriously lacking social skills from the environment in which he was raised. One can only parrot the behaviors that they are shown, verbally , physically and mentally. He should seek help form a mental health expert in childhood trauma! hope this helps...

Answer 5

In a nutshell, this is whilst a newborn can't take no for an answer. whilst he hears "no" he will do regardless of he has been forbidden to do, act out, substitute into violent and could do something yet obey what the grownup needs of him. commonly boys with this ailment, so i'm secure asserting "him". therapy- behaviour substitute, kin scientific care and at worst case situation and final motel- drugs. terrific consequences: behaviour mod and kin therapy mixture.

Answer 6

He could also be Bi-Polar or ADHD. a lot of those symptoms you described are characteristics in both ailments. look into them onloine, see what you think.

Answer 7

In the bible, let him read the red letter (words of Jesus)