It’s no joke, parenting can be a long and tough road! If you’re new to my blog we started the Mental Health journey with my son about three years ago. It truly has been a journey; weekly behavioral therapy sessions, learning my sons needs, support systems not only at home but school are just a few struggles we’ve experienced the past couple years. We’ve learned with a mental illness you don’t always have the answers right away, it’s a journey that takes time and energy.

When my son was first assessed for a mental illness they had originally diagnosis him with an Unspecified Depressive Disorder, at the time I was convinced that was his struggle so we started vitamin supplements and behavioral therapy. Two years later we were no longer convinced that was it and decided to get him assessed again. Which leads to today, my son has Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

O.D.D. aka Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A disorder in a child marked by defiant and disobedient behavior to authority figures.

Getting this diagnosis wasn’t easy since most kids can be defiant and disobedient from time to time. ODD can vary from mild(in one setting), moderate(in at least two settings) to severe (3 or more settings).

Parenting a child with ODD is a struggle to say the least. I’d say all the above describes our life with my son, except for the vindictive or spiteful symptom. He tests us daily and has been for the past 10 years, but you do learn how to cope and always praying for a smooth day.

We love our son even on the hard days. He can be sweet, kind, smart and helpful. He’s just got struggles that he needs to learn how to cope with and work past, his biggest would definitely be arguing and being defiant towards authority figures who he doesn’t necessarily see eye to eye and easily getting angry and irritable. Which I will say this past year he has really been learning how to cope with being irritated and having angry outburst.

So, Mason although you often make me want to rip my hair out, I’ll love you forever and be your biggest advocate!

The infographic below, originally seen on Life of Anna has a lot of great information on ODD
www.liahonaacademy.com

If any of this sounds familiar just know, you’re not alone! Parenting a child with ODD or any other Mental Illness can be a real struggle so look for support from others that can relate. We’re in this together!!