A 9-year-old boy has a pattern of angry behavior and irritability without bullying or property destruction. What is the likely diagnosis?

The diagnosis indicated by the behavior described in the scenario is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). This condition is characterized by a persistent pattern of angry, irritable mood, argumentative behavior, or vindictiveness towards authority figures. The key features include frequent temper tantrums, argumentative behavior with adults, defiance, and sometimes vindictiveness, but it does not typically involve physical aggression, bullying, or destruction of property, which aligns with the boy's behavior.

In this case, the absence of bullying or property destruction differentiates ODD from Conduct Disorder, where there is often a pattern of violating the basic rights of others and societal norms, including aggressive behavior towards people or animals.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) would primarily focus on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity rather than a specific pattern of oppositional and defiant behaviors.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder involves recurrent behavioral outbursts representing a failure to control aggressive impulses, which typically includes episodes of aggression that are disproportionate to any provocation and may involve physical harm to others or property destruction, unlike the scenario presented.

Thus, the pattern of angry behavior and irritability without the presence of bullying or destruction suggests Oppositional Defiant Disorder as