Similarities exist in the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Both disorders are usually diagnosed in childhood or during the teenage years. ODD is not diagnosed in adults; however, if the symptoms of ADHD have been present since childhood, this disorder is diagnosed in adults. These disorders are commonly seen together in children and teens according to the Mayo Clinic.
Temper Tantrums
Children with ADHD and ODD often exhibit temper tantrums. With ADHD, temper tantrums usually occur because children don't know how to verbalize what they're feeling. One of the main symptoms of ADHD is inattention, which leads children to forget things, lose things, have trouble concentrating and become extremely frustrated. If a child isn't being treated for ADHD and has the disorder, she may often get blamed for things that she has a hard time controlling. This can lead to arguments and temper tantrums at home and school.
Children with oppositional defiant disorder throw temper tantrums, because they're defying adults. It usually happens, because they don't get their way. Many children throw temper tantrums, but children with oppositional defiant disorder do it on a regular basis. If they don't get their way, they have a fit.
Argumentativeness
Children who struggle with ADHD may come across as being rude and argumentative with adults, especially because they struggle with controlling their impulses. They're often the children who blurt out answers in class and interrupt adults and peers. They might become upset when scolded for impulsive behaviors, which leads to arguments. Children with ADHD also have a hard time empathizing with others and seeing another person's point of view, which comes across as argumentative.
Children who have ODD are argumentative with adults on a regular basis. This relates to their defiance of adults. They usually refuse to comply with house and school rules and become upset when expected to follow the rules. They will argue for long periods of time with adults over small issues to get their way.
Spiteful and Aggressive
Children who struggle with ADHD might seem spiteful; however, their behavior is not intentionally spiteful. Children with ODD are intentionally spiteful to others and become aggressive with peers and adults. For example, the class bully who picks on his peers and intentionally hurts their feelings might have oppositional defiant disorder. The difference between these two disorders is the child's or teen's intent.
Social and School Problems
Children and teens that struggle with either of these disorders have social and school problems; however, it's for different reasons. A child with ADHD has problems at school, because she has difficulty concentrating, is hyperactive and is impulsive. A child with ODD has school issues, because she refuses to follow rules and argues with the teacher.
A child with ADHD has problems making and keeping friends, because he is socially inappropriate and has difficulty relating to peers. A child with ODD has social problems, because he's aggressive, spiteful, blames others and becomes angry easily.
