Oppositional Defiant Disorder In Adults: Characteristics And Treatment
Oppositional defiant disorder is usually closely associated with childhood. When we hear these words, the first thing that comes to mind is small children who constantly throw tantrums, hit their little brothers and parents, disrespect teachers, and have terrible anger management.
With the passage of time and appropriate therapy, it is normal for these children to calm down a little and the symptoms of this disorder to reduce and even disappear.
But in other cases it happens that these problems of anger and defiance of authority figures remain and grow, showing symptoms even in adulthood. Just because, 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 below.
Symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder in adults
Oppositional defiant disorder, also called oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), is a problem that, although usually seen in children and adolescents, can also manifest itself in adulthood.
People with this disorder feel angry at the world and tend to lose their temper regularly, even daily. This can manifest itself in the form of verbal abuse and anger having run-ins with authority figures, such as bosses, the police or even one’s own parents in old age.
Adults with oppositional defiant disorder carry out negative, hostile and challenging behaviors, especially noticeable. The diagnosis is made when the person has manifested four or more of the following behaviors during the last six months:
Adults with this disorder defend themselves relentlessly when someone tells them that they have done something wrong or behaved incorrectly. They feel misunderstood and pushed to the limit, which is evident 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 feel angry, angry, impatient, and have a very low tolerance for frustration. They see themselves as mistreated, misunderstood and unappreciated. They may see themselves as victims instead of understanding that they are the ones who are probably causing discomfort to their social circle, especially their family.
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 will also have some behavioral problem, both this and others such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The disorder manifests its first symptoms during childhood, a period in which it is usually diagnosed and, in fact, it is the reason 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 children what is right and what is wrong, causes them not to develop the notion of respect for authority figures.
Upon reaching adulthood, individuals They do not know how to manage or face situations where they should show a minimum of obedience behavioral problems appearing there.
The following are considered risk factors for the appearance of this disorder:
Examples of Oppositional Defiant Behaviors
The way the symptoms manifest 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 give as examples a wife who argues every day with her family, a hostile and aggressive roommate or an adult child who is not yet independent who does not accept the rules imposed on him by his parents. elderly parents.
Between 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 against authority figures and society
He leaves glasses all over the house knowing that it bothers his roommate
Fined for disobedience to authority
Involved in bar fights or public altercations
Gets angry at absolutely everything
What can happen to a person with this disorder is especially noteworthy. in your workplace.
Constant arguments with the boss and co-workers
Feeling oppressed by office rules
Purposely behaving in a way that irritates peers (e.g., eating stinking food)
Reported by human resources for violating company regulations
Fired for being physically aggressive with colleagues
Have had angry outbursts during meetings or annual reviews after receiving constructive criticism
People with oppositional defiant disorder as adults 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 tense, so much so that families and marriages can break up, in addition to leading to dismissals 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
Patient tolerance to certain therapeutic procedures
The main treatment avenues 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 useful in children with this disorder, but it is also useful in adults. This therapeutic option aims to get the patient’s family to introduce changes so that he or she begins to better manage his or her 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 learning to raise the next generation in a way that reduces the chances of the offspring presenting this same disorder.
