Consistent anger management issues may be an indication of a serious behavioral condition known as oppositional defiant disorder. Here are some ways that professional mental health providers are treating it, as well as coping strategies you can try on your own.
We all have temper tantrums occasionally. No matter how old you are, anger is a normal part of the range of emotions we experience in daily life. But what if you’re abnormally angry, to the point where you’re constantly getting irritated, especially when others try to impose rules on you - or worse yet, dissolving into outbursts at the slightest thing?
If this is your experience, it’s likely that you have oppositional defiant disorder, a tricky behavioral condition that can significantly impact your personal relationships and other aspects of your daily life - on top of just being really exhausting to deal with. But since this is a diagnosable mental health condition, specialized treatments do exist. The experts at go into detail about the options available to you, along with how you can manage the condition on your own.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder that is characterized by an individual’s inability to regulate their emotions. Researchers estimate that it affects up to 11% of children, but it can develop in later years. Worse yet, it will continue into adulthood if not diagnosed or treated, often resulting in disruptive behavioral and interpersonal issues that may affect daily life.
Unfortunately, many adolescents who do have it are often misdiagnosed as having conduct disorder, a distinct but related condition - which is why ODD may go untreated in adults.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), ODD in adults manifests as three main symptoms:
There are many things that can make you more predisposed to ODD, like genetic factors or environmental conditions - stuff like family instability, low socioeconomic status, or a history of childhood abuse. Unsurprisingly, these may also lead to the development of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, making recovery difficult without professional care.
Luckily, that care exists for anyone suffering from ODD. If you’re one of them, consider getting help from an ODD specialist; these trained mental health professionals are available at treatment centers like Mission Connection, and they’ll know exactly how to tailor their treatments to your situation.
If you need structured treatment, an intensive outpatient program or a partial hospitalization program is probably going to be your best option. As for what to expect, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the main therapeutic modalities offered to adults with ODD, as research has shown that it is particularly effective at addressing and correcting unhealthy thinking patterns.
Depending on the case, other evidence-based treatments may be recommended to you. If that sounds like it’s going to be a strain on your schedule, don’t worry; many mental health providers, including Mission Connection, offer online therapy through telehealth, which can help with appointment flexibility.
Of course, any efforts on your part will also make your treatment go a lot more smoothly. If you want to help yourself, you can try to reframe your negative thoughts on your own and manage your anger that way. Consider other coping strategies as well, like eliminating stress factors, prioritizing social connections, and practicing mindfulness; these can go a long way towards reducing how ODD symptoms impact your life.
If you’re not sure where to start, Mission Connection is happy to help you. Visit https://missionconnectionhealthcare.com/ to learn more today.
