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Oppositional defiant disorder in adults: characteristics and treatment

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Oppositional defiant disorder is often closely associated with childhood. When we hear these words, the first thing that comes to mind are small children who do not stop having They throw tantrums, they hit their little brothers and their parents, they disrespect the teachers and they have a terrible management of the wrath.

With the passage of time and adequate therapy, it is normal for these children to calm down a bit and the symptoms of this disorder gradually reduce and even disappear.

But in other cases it happens that these problems of anger and defiance of authority figures continue and grow, showing symptoms even in adulthood. Because if, oppositional defiant disorder in adults is real and it is a big problem at the couple and work level, something we are going to reflect on next.

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Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in adults

Oppositional defiant disorder, also called oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), is

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a problem that, although usually seen in children and adolescents, can also manifest itself in adulthood.

People with this disorder feel angry with the world and tend to lose their nerves regularly, even daily. This can manifest itself in the form of verbal abuse and anger when encountering authority figures, such as bosses, the police, or even the parents themselves in old age.

Adults with oppositional defiant disorder engage in negative, hostile, and challenging behaviors, especially notorious. The diagnosis is made when the person has manifested four or more of the following behaviors during the last six months:

  • Often loses his temper
  • Often arguing with family and co-workers
  • Actively defies or refuses to follow rules and laws
  • Deliberately annoying people
  • Blames others for their mistakes and misconduct
  • Is easily annoyed by others
  • Is often angry and resentful
  • He's spiteful and vengeful

Adults with this disorder relentlessly defend themselves when someone tells them they have done something wrong or misbehaved. They feel misunderstood and pushed to the limit, which is evidenced in their discussions with authority figures. This makes it very difficult for them to keep their jobs and maintain relationships and marriages.

Individuals with this disorder are people who quickly become angry, raging, impatient, and have a very low tolerance for frustration. They see themselves as abused, misunderstood, and unappreciated. They may see themselves as victims instead of understanding that it is they who are probably causing discomfort to their social circle, especially their family.

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Causes of this disorder in adulthood

Oppositional defiant disorder is believed to be strongly influenced by genetics. It has been seen that in families where one of its members is diagnosed with this disorder, there is a greater chance that the rest also have some behavioral problem, both this and others such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity

The disorder manifests its first symptoms during childhood, a period in which it is usually diagnosed And, in fact, it is why it is considered a childhood disorder. Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder eventually outgrow the disorder by age eight or nine, although about half of them will continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. About 40% of people diagnosed with this disorder progressively worsen, developing antisocial personality disorder.

Another cause that has been considered has to do with the environment, specifically with the style of raising children. In those families where adequate discipline has not been applied, teaching the little ones what what is right and what is wrong, makes them not develop the notion of respect towards the figures of authority.

Upon reaching adulthood, individuals they do not know how to manage or face situations where they should show a minimum of obedience, appearing there behavioral problems.

The following are considered risk factors for the appearance of this disorder:

  • Being male
  • Lack of supervision by caregivers
  • Inconsistent discipline
  • Developmental delay
  • Family history of mental health problems
  • Being a victim of abuse or neglect
  • Growing up in a chaotic environment without rules
  • Exposure to violence
  • Highly stressful environments
  • Personal or family history of substance abuse
Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in adults
  • Related article: "How to control anger: 7 practical tips"

Examples of challenging oppositional behaviors

The way in which symptoms are manifested in oppositional defiant disorder in adults can be very varied, but these behaviors share the fact of being aggressive, product of rage and anger and do not respect the rules.

People with this disorder tense the environment and we can put as examples of them a wife who argues every day with her family, a hostile and aggressive roommate or an adult child not yet independent who does not accept the rules imposed by their parents seniors.

Among the typical manifestations that can occur at home with an adult with oppositional defiant disorder have:

  • You always need to win an argument with a parent or husband.
  • Wants to fight authority figures and society
  • He leaves glasses around the house knowing that it bothers his roommate
  • Fined for disobedience to authority
  • Involved in bar fights or public altercations
  • He gets angry about absolutely everything

What can happen to a person with this disorder is especially noteworthy at your job.

  • Constant discussions with the boss and co-workers
  • Feeling oppressed by the rules at the office
  • Purposely behaving in a way that irritates peers (p. e.g., eating stinky food)
  • Reported by human resources for violating company regulations
  • Fired for being physically aggressive with peers
  • Has had outbursts of anger during meetings or annual reviews after receiving constructive criticism

Treatment

People with Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adulthood they never take responsibility for their behavior and the consequences it has on the people around them. Living with a person with this disorder is very stressful, so much so that families and marriages can break up, as well as motivate layoffs in the workplace.

Although it does not have a very good prognosis in adulthood, the truth is that there are treatments for this disorder, although its effectiveness will depend on multiple issues:

  • General health status and medical history of the patient
  • Degree of progression of symptoms
  • Tolerance of the patient to certain therapeutic procedures

The main avenues of treatment for oppositional defiant disorder in adulthood include:

1. Individual psychotherapy

Individual psychotherapy usually uses, as in most mental disorders, the cognitive-behavioral approach to increase the patient's ability to solve problems that may arise, their communication skills and their anger management.

2. Family therapy

Family therapy is very helpful in children with this disorder, but it is also helpful in adulthood. This therapeutic option aims to get the patient's family to introduce changes so that he or she begins to better manage their aggressiveness and challenging behaviors.

Both the partner and the children can be an important source of support and reeducation for this type of patient, in addition to being learn to raise the next generation in a way that reduces the chances of offspring developing this same disorder.

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