What Is the Key Difference Between ADHD and ODD?

Signs of ADHD may include:

• Short attention span
• Easily distracted
• Careless behavior
• Forgetfulness
• Losing things frequently
• Inability to concentrate on tasks
• Constantly moving from one activity or task to another
• Having difficulty organizing tasks
• Inability to sit still
• Constantly fidgeting
• Excessive talking
• Impulsive behavior
• Interrupting conversations

Signs of ODD may include:

• Easily loses temper
• Easily annoyed by others
• Arguing with adults
• Refusal to comply with adult requests
• Refusal to follow orders and rules
• Deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
• Blaming others for their own mistakes or misbehavior
• Resentment, spitefulness, or vindictive behavior

The exact causes of both ADHD and ODD are unknown. 

Factors that may play a role in the development of ADHD include:

• Genetics
• Family history
• Environment factors such as lead exposure
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Maternal substance abuse during pregnancy

Factors that may play a role in the development of ODD include:

• Genetics
• Psychological factors
• Social factors

There are no lab or clinical tests to diagnose ADHD or ODD.

Your primary care physician may refer you to a pediatrician or child psychiatrist who will perform a psychiatric evaluation and medical examination. You may be asked to accompany your child as they are asked questions to assess their condition.

Treatment for ADHD:

• Medications: Stimulants are widely used FDA-approved medications for the treatment of ADHD. They work by balancing chemicals in the brain that contribute to the development of ADHD symptoms. Although they are fast-acting medications, they require patience because the right dosage varies from child to child. Medications may also need to be changed depending upon the side effects. Between 70%-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these medications.
• Therapy: Some children may also benefit from therapies such as behavioral therapy, family therapy, and social skills training.

Treatment for ODD:

Medications are not widely used in the treatment of ODD. Medications given for ODD aim to only tackle the associated symptoms. Therapy typically involves:

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Parent management training
• Cognitive problem-solving training, which aims to reduce negative thought patterns in the child
• Social skills training, which aims to improve the child’s social interactions with their peers