ADHD & ODD Therapy
in Little Rock

The DSM-5 recognizes ODD as a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, or vindictiveness lasting at least 6 months as evidenced by at least four symptoms of the following categories, and exhibited during interaction with at least one individual who is not a sibling:

• Angry/Irritable Mood
• Often loses temper
• Is often touchy or easily annoyed
• Is often angry and resentful
• Argumentative/Defiant Behavior
• Often argues with authority figures or, for children and adolescents, with adults
• Often actively defies or refuses to comply with requests from authority figures or with rules
• Often deliberately annoys others
• Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
• Vindictiveness
• Has been spiteful or vindictive at least twice within the past 6 months.

The cause of ODD is unclear but a mix of biological, social, and psychological factors appears to put children at risk. 

These factors can include poverty (although ODD can occur in families of any economic status), experiencing a traumatic transition, having a parent with a mood, addictive, or behavioral disorder, having a bad relationship with a parent, having a neglectful or abusive parent, or a parent who is an overly harsh disciplinarian, or other family instabilities.

Once the diagnosis of ODD is established, a combination of therapies is generally prescribed. It typically includes behavioral and family therapies, parental training, and sometimes medication. 

One goal of therapy is to rebuild the parent-child relationship. 

Another is to teach parents new techniques for dealing with the child’s behavior. 

The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chances of preventing ODD from developing into a more serious conduct disorder, mental health disorder, or criminal behavior.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in children.

AHD is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. 

People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms:

• Inattention means a person may have difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus, and staying organized, and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
• Hyperactivity means a person may seem to move about constantly, including in situations when it is not appropriate, or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, hyperactivity may mean extreme restlessness or talking too much.
• Impulsivity means a person may act without thinking or have difficulty with self-control. Impulsivity could also include a desire for immediate rewards or the inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may interrupt others or make important decisions without considering long-term consequences.

Inattention

People with symptoms of inattention may often:

• Overlook or miss details and make seemingly careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities
• Have difficulty sustaining attention during play or tasks, such as conversations, lectures, or lengthy reading
• Not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Find it hard to follow through on instructions or finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace, or may start tasks but lose focus and get easily sidetracked
• Have difficulty organizing tasks and activities, doing tasks in sequence, keeping materials and belongings in order, managing time, and meeting deadlines
• Avoid tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework, or for teens and older adults, preparing reports, completing forms, or reviewing lengthy papers
• Lose things necessary for tasks or activities, such as school supplies, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, and cell phones
• Be easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
• Be forgetful in daily activities, such as chores, errands, returning calls, and keeping appointments

People with symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity may often:

• Fidget and squirm while seated
• Leave their seats in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or the office
• Run, dash around, or climb at inappropriate times or, in teens and adults, often feel restless
• Be unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly
• Be constantly in motion or on the go, or act as if driven by a motor
• Talk excessively
• Answer questions before they are fully asked, finish other people’s sentences, or speak without waiting for a turn in a conversation
• Have difficulty waiting one’s turn
• Interrupt or intrude on others, for example in conversations, games, or activities

For a person to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be chronic or long-lasting, impair the person’s functioning, and cause the person to fall behind typical development for their age. 

Stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and other physical conditions or illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Therefore, a thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms.

While there is no cure for ADHD, currently available treatments may reduce symptoms and improve functioning. 

Treatments include medication, psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments.