ADHD Vs. ODD: Why The Link Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Oppositional Defiant Disorder Surprises UCLA Psychologists

A study between the link of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other mental health problems among girls was conducted by the UCLA psychologists. They knew that girls diagnosed with ADHD had higher risk of having psychological issues but what surprised them was that Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD ranked higher than anxiety disorder.

In the report, which was published in the Journal Pediatrics, 42 percent of the girls with ADHD and five percent without the hyperactivity disorder were diagnosed with ODD, UCLA Newsroom had learned. While only 37.7 percent with ADHD and 13.9 percent without were diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder.

Approximately five to ten percent of the children in the United States have ADHD, Steve Lee, associate professor of psychology in UCLA and senior author of the study, said. Whereas, about two to 16 percent of children and teens have ODD, according to WedMD.

The symptoms of ODD includes repeated temper tantrums, refusal to comply with rules and requests, blaming others for one's mistakes, excessive arguing with adults and swearing or using offensive language. Meanwhile, ADHD is characterized by fidgeting, being easily distracted, unable to complete a single task and getting easily bored.

Lee additionally said that ADHD begins in pre-school and can progress to high school and adulthood, especially when it is comorbid with ODD. There are many views on what causes these disorders and among which are biological, genetic and environmental.

It is recommended that parents should be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of ADHD and ODD. There are treatments out there that are recommended by the psychologist, which includes pharmaceutical intervention, psychotherapy and parenting strategies.

Keep in mind that it is important to impose structure and consistency to children with ADHD and ODD. Rules are rules and they have to be applied without falter. Positive and negative reinforcements may be applied too. It's note-worthy, however, that some kids manifest negative behaviour to secure attention from adults.

Parents must remember that one intervention working for one child may not work for the other. It is best that once you have seen some disturbing symptoms, like when the behaviour lasts more than six months and is excessive, have your child checked for ADHD or ODD.