Are Tantrums Normal or Something More? ADHD vs ODD in Children
Identifying ADHD vs ODD requires looking for important signs, such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or purposeful opposition. Even a tantrum can help you determine which condition they have.
A systematic review from BMC Psychiatry found that approximately 30.64% of American children have a mental disorder. Your child might have one without you even knowing it.
Imagine they're in the middle of the worst tantrum ever. It might feel like wrestling a piece of meat from a baby lion. Take comfort in knowing that even these moments can give you important information about your child's mental health.
Causes of ADHD and ODD
One of the most important parts of understanding childhood behavioral conditions is recognizing that they have no definitive cause. However, research suggests why they could develop.
It could be an imbalance in neurotransmitters or genetics. ODD can be triggered by events in childhood, such as:
Parenting styles
Abuse or neglect
Other social issues in the child's life related to school or home stress
Displacement or protest
Response to other mental illnesses like anxiety, ADHD, or autism
Sometimes, they can even have completely unrelated or unknown reasons.
At What Age Does ODD Usually Start?
According to the CDC, most children begin exhibiting signs of ODD between the ages of six and 12. It can many times start showing signs before age five. This is also typically true of ADHD.
How Can You Differentiate Between ODD and ADHD?
Comparing ADHD vs. ODD can be overwhelming for parents. Fortunately, there are signs to look for to help identify it in your child.
Signs of ADHD in Children
Hyperactive behaviors are not the only signs of ADHD in children. It's split into two subtypes: inattentive and hyperactive.
Many symptoms in the inattentive categoryrelate to difficulty paying attention. These can include:
Becoming easily distracted
Having difficulty following directions
Forgetfullness
Disorganization
Misplacing items
The hyperactive side manifests in more ways than an inability to sit still. These include:
Fidgeting
Talking too much
Interrupting or blurting out
It's also possible for symptoms on both sides to show up.
Have they begun to affect your child's daily life? It may be time to get them tested. Book an appointment with board-certified physician Dr. JP, a fellowship-trained Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist specializing in ADHD.
Signs of ODD in Children
Understanding oppositional defiant disorder in children can be difficult because it's a lesser-known condition.
Pay attention to how your child responds to authority figures. This could be anyone from a teacher to a grandparent. They may become hostile or refuse to listen to them.
ODD can also affect how your child interacts with everyone.
They may easily lose their temper or hold resentment. They may also purposefully annoy others. They have difficulty accepting responsibility and will blame others for their behavior.
What if ADHD and ODD Occur Together?
According to a systematic review published in BMC Psychology, approximately 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD are diagnosed with ODD as well.
If your child has both, you'll notice symptoms from both disorders. The major difference is that they'll be more intense.
Both conditions can affect relationships and school performance. Having them at the same time increases the impact. It also makes it more likely for the child to have low self-esteem or suffer from anxiety or depression.
ADHD vs ODD Tantrums
The analysis of tantrums in children shows that they can help you spot behavioral conditions early. They can also help you differentiate between them. Tantrums won't look the same in a child with ADHD as in a child with ODD.
ADHD Tantrums
A child with ADHD may throw a tantrum if a task you're asking them to do is boring, repetitive, or requires several steps. They may also happen when something interesting is blocked or taken away.
Children with ADHD tend to throw more tantrums. They're primarily a result of impulsivity and poor emotional control. They can be repeated if the parent gives in and the child learns that the behavior gets results.
ODD Tantrums
Children with ODD typically throw tantrums to defy authority or agitate others.
Their tantrums tend to be more extreme and long-lasting. They also tend to show up more frequently.
Diagnosis and Treatment
There is no single test to identify ODD. ADHD and ODD are clinical diagnoses made by a board-certified psychiatrist.
Have they been exhibiting some signs of either condition? Is the condition affecting their daily life? These are signs to book a psychiatric appointment.
A child psychiatrist will request a full medical and physical examination from pediatrics. This helps rule out any other causes for your child's symptoms. History from other frequent contacts, such as teachers or babysitters, may be necessary.
There are medications used to treat ADHD, including:
Stimulants
Cognitive-enhancing drugs
Antihypertensive drugs
One of the major differences between ADHD and ODD in children in terms of treatment is that there are no medications for ODD. There are emerging therapies that can help, even when both conditions occur together. These therapy methods include:
Family therapy
Behavioral therapy
Social skills or problem-solving training
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Most Kids Outgrow ODD?
Yes, children can outgrow ODD. Many of them do by the time they're teenagers with appropriate treatment.
However, it can last into adolescence and lead to more serious behavior problems if left untreated. That makes early diagnosis important.
ADHD is different.It's a neurological condition that children are born with and that needs to be continually managed.
How Can You Discipline a Child with ODD?
Parent training can help you learn how to discipline your child with ODD. It focuses on a few core principles.
Don't give in and argue with them. That's one of the goals of their tantrum. Set firm rules and boundaries.
Focus on positive reinforcement for positive behavior. Be enthusiastic when praising them.
Tailor your discipline to your child. A bit of trial and error can help you discover what works best for them.
Most of all, be consistent. Even a few days of failing to keep up with your discipline routine could lead them to try to defy you to get what they want.
Start Your Family's Healing Journey Today
Distinguishing between ADHD vs ODD in children can be difficult because they have overlapping symptoms and can occur together. Start with your child's tantrums, then seek expert consultation from a child psychiatrist.
At Dr. JP Psychiatry, Dr. Johnsy Pradhan,MD is a board-certified physician in psychiatry by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, fellowship trained in child and adolescent psychiatry and interventional psychiatry. She supports adults, children, and teens throughout the Hampton area.
She has a holistic approach to treating the whole body, with lifestyle modifications first and introducing medications or other treatments when appropriate. As a Columbia-Cornell program and Harvard-educated physician in obesity, she introduces an appropriate diet with lifestyle modifications for behavioral problems.
During your first appointment, a plan for your entire healing journey will be created together. Take the next step by scheduling an appointment today.
