Adult Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Symptoms and Treatment

Oppositional defiant disorder in adults is more common than we think. They are eternally angry people, addicted to arguments, who lose their temper easily and accumulate problems at work, family, social level, etc. Thus, although this psychological condition is frequently associated with the child population, it is common for this disorder to persist over the years.

What this lack of temperamental control causes in many cases is that, upon reaching adulthood, it leads to a more problematic psychological reality. It is very common for a defiant child to develop an antisocial personality disorder over the years.. This opposition to authority that manifests itself in childhood and is not addressed reaches more challenging and dangerous levels when reaching maturity.

We are therefore not facing a minor problem. So much so, that there is one piece of information that is, to say the least, worrying. It is estimated that oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) affects between 5 and 15% of the school population. However, many cases are not diagnosedso it is very common to reach 20, 30, 40 years of age, showing behavior that is as adverse as it is conflictive.

Oppositional defiant disorder in adults: what symptoms does it present?

There are loud, difficult, and even problematic children, but then there are those with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). This is a recurring condition in childhood in which a set of complex behaviors orbit such as aggression towards authority figures, constant tantrums, vengeful behaviors, resentment, constant irritability…

We are faced with what we know as externalizing disorders (Achenbach et al., 1983; Quay et al., 1987), that is, they are realities that involve maladaptive behaviors and that, if not treated earlycan give rise in adulthood to criminal behavior and serious social maladjustment.

Let’s now see how oppositional defiant disorder manifests itself in adults.

Characteristics that define them

The adult with this psychological condition is basically defined by a clear impossibility of integrating into an environment with basic rules. If the school years were already problematic for this profile, maintaining a job in adulthood is quite a challenge. They don’t usually spend much time in a given position.

They frequently lose patience and have very low resistance to frustration.They present notable mood swings, but the truth is that irritability is the emotion they live with the most. They define themselves as rebellious figures, independent people who live life in their own way. However, the obvious fact is that they cannot adapt to almost any situation. They have family and work problems, it is difficult for them to maintain friends, partners…They show no personal responsibility.They do not respect rules or laws; They also do not accept advice. They feel angry with the world, with the system, with every figure of authority… They also perceive themselves as misunderstood people. According to them, no one appreciates their worth, their potential or their good work.They often use verbal violence.They display dangerous behaviors while driving. They can lead to addictive and violent behaviors.

What are the causes of this psychological disorder?

There are various theories that explain oppositional defiant disorder in adults. On the one hand, there are neurobiological approaches that refer to genetic causes. We also have the social explanation, which refers us to dysfunctional patterns of upbringing and education in which the figure of aggressive fathers and depressed but controlling mothers are often combined.

That is to say, although it is true that the triggers of this externalizing disorder are not clear, there is a striking fact. The child or adolescent who does not receive psychological attention for their defiant disorder leads to more problematic behaviors in adulthood.. In fact, it is very common for them to end up manifesting an antisocial personality disorder.

On the other hand, research works such as those carried out at Washington State University speak of a latent psychological structure that is already appreciated at ages 4-6. That is to say, there are children who show hostility and defiance of authority very early. These traits become more relevant between ages 14 and 16. Later, In early adulthood (18-25 years) antisocial behaviors already emerge.

Therefore, an early diagnosis would be necessary to avoid and prevent oppositional defiant disorder in adults, as well as antisocial personality disorder.

The study cited warns of another fact. This psychological dimension is accompanied, on average, by other disorders such as hyperactivity or intermittent explosive disorder.

How is oppositional defiant disorder treated in the adult population?

Adults with a defiant disorder have many difficulties taking responsibility for their behaviors, remaining in many cases blind to their consequences. At the same time, they are very vulnerable to disorders such as depression, due to their isolation and the weakness of their support system.

In some ways, one fact seems to contrast with the other, since despite directly suffering the consequences of their actions, they frequently deny the need to make changes in their way of behaving.

In many cases, For a person with this mental condition or an antisocial disorder to receive professional assistance, a court ruling is necessary that forces them to do so.. Committing a crime or falling into a drug addiction forces them to go through therapy.

What can be done in these cases? There are different approaches.

Individual therapy to promote impulse control, emotional management, social skills, problem solving… Cognitive restructuring aimed at treating dysfunctional thoughts, added to operant techniques to reduce antisocial behavior, is essential. It is also important that they enter into occupational, educational and psychosocial rehabilitation therapy programs.

To conclude, although it is true that we are facing highly complex realities, there are always resources and good professionals who can re-educate and reintegrate these very problematic behavioral profiles.

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