Recognizing Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms in Your Child

All children "act up" once in a while. It's a normal, if unpleasant, part of childhood development, especially in 2- or 3-year-olds and adolescents. And, there are any number of reasons behind this behavior. For instance, when a child is tired or hungry, he or she can become confrontational or ornery. Other times, a temper tantrum or defiant behavior is the result of a child testing societal or familial boundaries, either consciously -- as in the case of an occasionally sullen teenager -- or unconsciously.

These are the moments that test the will of even the most patient parent, but fortunately under normal circumstances they don't happen all the time. However, if such behavior becomes the norm, it might be time to speak with your pediatrician to determine whether your child is displaying oppositional defiant disorder symptoms -- a child behavior disorder.

Oppositional defiant disorder is defined as a pattern of hostile or uncooperative behavior directed toward authority figures. Talk to your pediatrician or family physician if your child displays these symptoms for six months or longer:

• Loss of temper
• Arguing with adults
• Consistently defying requests or instructions
• Not following established rules
• Annoying people on purpose
• Shifting responsibility for mistakes
• Overreacting when annoyed
• Resentful, spiteful or vindictive
  

As you can see, oppositional defiant disorder symptoms fall in line with childhood behavior that any parent can expect to experience occasionally. It's natural and even healthy for a growing young person to question authority once in a while. It displays an independence and inquisitiveness that can help him or her immeasurably later in life.