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Old Jul 06, 2008, 08:34 AM
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pachyderm pachyderm is offline
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Member Since: Jun 2007
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There is some material on this on Psych Central:

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx73.htm

It says:

A pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months, during which four (or more) of the following are present:

* often loses temper
* often argues with adults
* often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules
* often deliberately annoys people
* often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
* is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
* is often angry and resentful
* is often spiteful or vindictive

Note: Consider a criterion met only if the behavior occurs more frequently than is typically observed in individuals of comparable age and developmental level.

The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

The behaviors do not occur exclusively during the course of a Psychotic or Mood Disorder (such as depression).

Criteria are not met for Conduct Disorder, and, if the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Criteria summarized from:
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

My words: This category is considered to be "controversial." I can see why, if it is not used with the utmost care and comprehension. As far as I can see there is no attempt to understand why a person might display such behavior, nor that it may be a desperate attempt to maintain the last shreds of an independent and honorable existence. Calling it a "disorder" which needs to be "cured" has dangers.
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