ODD : Oppositional Defiant Disorder

[Freija]

Diagnosis is based on the presence of at least four of the following behaviours beyond what is considered the normative range: anger: temper; touchy or easily annoyed; angry and resentful; argumentative; refusal to comply with authority figures; annoys others; blames others; spiteful or vindictive.

Me as a kid:

easily annoyed
angry and resentful
argumentative
refusal to comply with authority figures
annoys others
blames others

Uh oh! I’m glad this “diagnosis” wasn’t around when I was little or that’s something else I could have had to deal with, however, I would say these attributes were secondary or resulting from my other issues. I also think this diagnosis is kind of bull anyway and just a way to categorize or stigmatize kids that don’t always fall in line and do exactly what they’re told and my guess is this is just another excuse for big pharma to potentially medicate children?

Easily annoyed? Damn skippy when the world around me wanted me to be something I knew in my heart and soul that I was not

Angry and resentful? Oh yeah, you would have been too if you were me. I mostly turned this inward causing me to be withdrawn and usually depressed. I would throw a shit ton of jealousy here too as things didn’t seem very fair.

Argumentative? If she was still alive, you could ask my mom about trying to get me dressed for school in like the 1st through 3rd grade or so. This was our primary battleground until things started easing up after certain accommodations were eventually made. Ask a teacher when things were separated by girls and boys.

Refusal to comply with authority figures? Why do you think I had to be in 14 different schools in 3 different states to make it through the 6th grade and didn’t even make it through kindergarten without being asked to withdraw? I wasn’t belligerent, outspoken or a troublemaker and my defiance was mostly passive but my sneering looks and general attitude of being pissed at everything and everyone was never far below the surface.

Annoys others? Keeping to myself, being quiet, shy and small as possible, my simple existence seemed to annoy other kids and teachers and I was considered disruptive simply because I didn’t act or look like I was supposed to and some were so annoyed, bullying and violence was the most often the result. (ask me again about being angry and resentful!)

Blames others? Yeah. “God” for making such a cruel mistake.

Fortunately, things gradually improved or at least they did after I turned 15 and was nearly beaten to death and the true nature of my struggles fully came to light. After such a tumultuous childhood, it is surprising I’m not a screwed up mess today as my life turned out pretty fulfilled, happy and damn awesome.