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I have a 13-year-old brother with ODD. And let me tell you, there is more to it than a healthy does of anti-authoritarianism. We adopted my brother when he wa
by bjhoops1 13y ago
I have a 13-year-old brother with ODD. And let me tell you, there is more to it than a healthy does of anti-authoritarianism.
We adopted my brother when he was 15 months old, and in his first year of life we suspect he was frequently neglected, leading to attachment issues. Basically, when an infant's needs are not met, they get distressed, and the more often this occurs, the more those neurological pathways become ingrained in their brains. Which means that people with a traumatic early childhood are much more sensitive to stimulus, feel threatened easily, and very quickly move into "survival mode". In survival mode, we will all lie, cheat or steal because our survival is at stake. Kids like my brother spent a disproportionate amount of their time in this state.
They also learn at that young age that their needs are not going to be met, and so they come to distrust authority and other people, focusing on looking out for themselves (since no one else is going to). They also tend to fail to internalize social norms and rules like being honest and the "golden rule". These sorts of tendencies can be considered anti-authoritarian, but it is a reactionary anti-authoritarianism, not a healthy, well-reasoned skepticism of prevailing authorities. The latter is healthy, the former is not.
So while it may be the case that anti-authoritarian individuals frequently are diagnosed a mentally ill, it is probably much more common that some kinds of mentally ill individuals happen to be anti-authoritarian. I.e. causation moves from certain types of mental illness to anti-authoritarianism. Basically, I'd like to say this is an interesting article, but please don't walk away thinking that the entire system is just a ploy by The Man to keep the Lisbeth Salanders of this world marginalized. It is much more complicated and difficult than that.
On a personal note, it can be very painful to love someone with issues like ODD. It requires loads of love, patience and restraint. It can also be very rewarding.
- AutoCorrect 13y agoand it requires the above traits in people close to the person, not Ritalin or other mood altering drugs, to truly solve the problem, and not just mask it.
- ameister14 13y agoYou're applying an acute care model to a chronic problem; it's not necessarily 'fixable.'
- codezero 13y agoI am actually really curious, in what ways is it rewarding outside of loving anyone else?
- bjhoops1 13y agoI can't say it's more rewarding on the whole, but I didn't want people to think that it is less rewarding. However, there is also a bit of an effect where someone you care about is not particularly thoughtful, so when they do go out of their way to be kind or help you out, it feels especially good and shows that they really do care about you. If that makes sense..
- argonz 13y agoAttachment and insecurity issues can be greatly improved with psychedelic induced trips (with safe setting). If mushrooms, ayahuasca or similars are very hard to get(in my country it's hard) holotropic breathwork is reported to have similar effect, although can't reinforce that. This message is more like to anyone with attachment issues, I've just read your brother is 13 years old so mehh, don't know.. Safe bet that he is not mature enough, haven't read anything about what are the hazards when adolescents take it.
- bjhoops1 13y agoI'll get right on that and recommend that to my parents. :P It is interesting the recent research on psychotropics, though.
- hosh 13y agoMeditation, which takes a longer route to the psychedelic states, can also help and has less stigma attached to it. Something to consider at least. By its very nature, the practice (such as Vipassana) involves not becoming attached to rising stimulus, on a moment-to-moment basis. I can tell you from personal experience, someone who is habituated to be sensitive like your brother, will have a difficult time with this. Further, there's nothing you can do to make your brother do this practice. The thing about well-guided mushroom and Ayahuasca experiences is such that you learn what it is like to not be sensitive to arising stimuli, and as such, seek out practices like this. (Though there are other things going on too). If you are serious about looking into using psychedelics for therapy (possibly when your brother is older), it may be something to do together rather than throwing your brother out into the void.
- ZirconCode 13y agoFor Vipassana Meditation I recommend "Mindfulness in Plain English". You can find it online. It's an incredibly good book to begin meditation at all.
- katbyte 13y ago> it is probably much more common that some kinds of mentally ill individuals happen to be anti-authoritarian. I think thats a hard judgement to make, but its a tragedy that any kids who simply disagree with authority figures they don't see as valid are medicated and diagnosed with ODD.