Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a theory proposed to explain an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures that goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior.

When a child cannot seem to control his anger or frustration, even over what seems to be trivial or simple to others, the child will often react in violent or negative ways to his own feelings.

A physician will commonly refer the child to a psychiatrist who will determine if the child frequently shows four or more of the following behaviors or signs of the disorder for more than six months:

   Arguing with adults
   Losing temper
   Angry or resentful of others
   Actively defies adults’ requests or rules
   Negative attitude
   Blames others for his or her own mistakes or behaviors
   Seems touchy or easily annoyed by others
   Deliberately annoys others
   Acts spitefully or vindictive.

Some researchers believe that ODD is symptomatic of other disorders.