Oppositional and Defiant Behavior Written by: Mary Ann Grochowski Definition of Oppositional Defiant Disorder as outlined in DSM IV: A recurrent pattern of negativistic, disobedient, and hostile behavior towards authority figures that persists for at least six months and is characterized by the frequent occurrence of at least four of the following behaviors: • losing temper • arguing with adults • actively defying or refusing to comply with the requests or rules of adults • deliberately doing things that will annoy other people • blaming others for his or her own behavior or mistakes • being touchy or easily annoyed by others • being angry or resentful • being spiteful or vindictive The behavior must occur more frequently than is typically occurring in children of comparable age and developmental level and must lead to significant impairment in social, a