--- title: 'What is oppositional defiant disorder?' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/conduct-disorder/what-is-oppositional-defiant-disorder' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/conduct-disorder/what-is-oppositional-defiant-disorder.md' date: '2026-03-24' description: "What is ODD in children? ODD in children stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder and is defined by a persistent pattern of angry moods, argumentative or defiant behaviour, including behaviours that demonstrate vindictiveness toward authority figures and peers. While all children might test boundaries, throw tantrums, or refuse to follow instructions when they are tired or upset, children with ODD display these disruptive behaviours much more frequently. To be diagnosed, the child must exhibit these behaviours for at least six months, significantly disrupting their school life, home life, and social relationships. Key symptoms of ODD in children Children with ODD may display a few of these symptoms, in varying degrees of severity: Frequent or severe temper tantrums Arguing with adults Actively defying or refusing adults’ requests or rules Deliberately doing things that annoy other people Blaming others for their own mistakes or misbehaviour Touchy or easily annoyed by others Seeming angry or resentful. Seeming spiteful or vindictive Of course, all children will misbehave or act out at times. But children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder will display these symptoms regularly and more severely than most children. Many children with ODD also have at least one other mental health problem, particularly Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A significant minority may have an anxiety disorder or depression, though this is often missed due to the focus on behaviour problems. Risk factors for developing ODD Children are at higher risk of developing Oppositional Defiant Disorder when they experience a harsh and inconsistent parenting style or are exposed to parental mental health difficulties. Experiences of poverty and being involved with child protection services can also increase a child’s risk of developing ODD. Children with low educational attainment and the presence of other mental health problems are more likely to meet criteria for conduct disorders such as ODD. Where to seek help If you're asking \"Why is my child so angry and aggressive?\" and are reading this, you've already taken a step in the right direction. Many children show challenging behaviour at times, but when this becomes much more frequent and severe than other children their age, or if it’s having a big impact on the household, or on the child’s ability to engage in education or make and keep friendships, it can be useful to seek help. The GP or school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) can help by making a referral to the local child and adolescent mental health service (such as CAMHS) or another appropriate local support service. To find out more on the steps to approach your school and the health services, have a look at our Early Intervention for children's mental health series. Want to learn more? Watch our information video on recognising ODD or view this real life account of what it’s like to raise a child with ODD." taxonomy: category: - 'Mental Health' tag: - 'Challenging Behaviour' - ODD - 'Conduct Disorder' type: - Article --- # What is oppositional defiant disorder? #### Table of Contents - [What is ODD in children?](#what-is-odd-in-children) - [Key symptoms of ODD in children](#key-symptoms-of-odd-in-ch) - [Risk factors for developing ODD](#risk-factors-for-developi) - [Where to seek help](#where-to-seek-help) ## What is ODD in children? ODD in children stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder and is defined by a persistent pattern of angry moods, argumentative or defiant behaviour, including behaviours that demonstrate vindictiveness toward authority figures and peers. While all children might test boundaries, throw tantrums, or refuse to follow instructions when they are tired or upset, children with ODD display these disruptive behaviours much more frequently. To be diagnosed, the child must exhibit these behaviours for at least six months, significantly disrupting their school life, home life, and social relationships. ## Key symptoms of ODD in children Children with ODD may display a few of these symptoms, in varying degrees of severity: - Frequent or severe temper tantrums - Arguing with adults - Actively defying or refusing adults’ requests or rules - Deliberately doing things that annoy other people - Blaming others for their own mistakes or misbehaviour - Touchy or easily annoyed by others - Seeming angry or resentful. - Seeming spiteful or vindictive Of course, all children will misbehave or act out at times. But children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder will display these symptoms regularly and more severely than most children. Many children with ODD also have at least one other mental health problem, particularly Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ([ADHD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/adhd)). A significant minority may have an [anxiety disorder](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/anxiety) or [depression](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression), though this is often missed due to the focus on behaviour problems. ## Risk factors for developing ODD Children are at higher risk of developing Oppositional Defiant Disorder when they experience a harsh and inconsistent parenting style or are exposed to parental mental health difficulties. Experiences of poverty and being involved with child protection services can also increase a child’s risk of developing ODD. Children with low educational attainment and the presence of other mental health problems are more likely to meet criteria for conduct disorders such as ODD. ## Where to seek help If you're asking "**Why is my child so angry and aggressive?**" and are reading this, you've already taken a step in the right direction. Many children show challenging behaviour at times, but when this becomes much more frequent and severe than other children their age, or if it’s having a big impact on the household, or on the child’s ability to engage in education or make and keep friendships, it can be useful to seek help. The GP or school [Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/what-is-a-senco) can help by making a referral to the local child and adolescent mental health service (such as [CAMHS](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/what-is-child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs)) or another appropriate local support service. To find out more on the steps to approach your school and the health services, have a look at our [Early Intervention for children's mental health series](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/early-intervention-series). Want to learn more? Watch our [information video on recognising ODD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/challenging-behaviours/recognising-conduct-disorder) or view this [real life account of what it’s like to raise a child with ODD](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/adhd/raising-a-child-with-odd-and-adhd). --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/conduct-disorder/conduct-disorder-tips-for-teachers) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/conduct-disorder/fine-at-school-falling-apart-at-home-autism-masking-and-pda) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/09.conduct-disorder/fine-at-school-falling-apart-at-home-autism-masking-and-pda/woman-and-child-looking-at-sea.webp) ### Article: Fine at school, falling apart at home: autism, masking and PDA [Article: Fine at school, falling apart at home: autism, masking and PDA](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/conduct-disorder/fine-at-school-falling-apart-at-home-autism-masking-and-pda) On one side, a child who appears calm and compliant. 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