Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, is the most recent ailment I've heard about that sounds completely made-up.  It's a condition affecting children and teenagers, with some of the symptoms being negativity, defiance, disobedience, and hostility directed toward authority figures.  Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think I've met a human being that didn't exhibit these behaviors, and with regularity.  Some of the specific actions attributed to the disorder are the following: 
  • Frequent temper tantrums
  • Argumentativeness with adults
  • Refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
  • Deliberate annoyance of other people
  • Blaming others for mistakes or misbehavior
  • Acting touchy and easily annoyed
  • Anger and resentment
  • Spiteful or vindictive behavior
  • Aggressiveness toward peers
  • Difficulty maintaining friendships
  • Academic problems
That pretty much sums up everything a child can possibly do wrong.  As with many childhood behavioral problems, I'm a firm believer in the practice of a good hard smack.  Nothing makes you change your mind faster than an aching backside. #health