| Introduction | | | | research on ODD. |
| Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a psychiatric | | | | Co-morbidity |
| behavior disorder that is characterized by | | | | ODD is frequently goes along with other disorders. |
| aggressiveness and a tendency to purposefully | | | | 50-65% of ODD children also have ADHD. 35% of |
| bother and irritate others. These behaviors cause | | | | these children develop some form of affective |
| significant difficulties with family and friends and at | | | | disorder. 20% have some form of mood disorder, |
| school or work. | | | | such as depression or anxiety. 15% develop some |
| Oppositional defiant disorder is sometimes a | | | | form of personality disorder. These children |
| precursor of conduct disorder. Much of the | | | | frequently have learning disorders and academic |
| literature tends to lump these two conditions | | | | difficulties. |
| together. However, they seem to be distinct | | | | If your child has ODD it is important to know |
| entities and, although conduct disorder does have | | | | there are other co-existing problems. These other |
| a genetic component, ODD does not. | | | | problems usually must be addressed before you |
| Description | | | | can begin to help your child with ODD. |
| Oppositional defiant children show a consistent | | | | Prognosis |
| pattern of refusing to follow commands or | | | | So what happens to these children? There are |
| requests by adults. These children repeatedly lose | | | | four possible paths. |
| their temper, argue with adults, and refuse to | | | | 1. Some will grow out of it. Half of the |
| comply with rules and directions. They are easily | | | | preschoolers that are labeled ODD are normal by |
| annoyed and blame others for their mistakes. | | | | the age of 8. However, in older ODD children, |
| Children with ODD show a pattern of | | | | 75% will still fulfill the diagnostic criteria later in life. |
| stubbornness and frequently test limits, even in | | | | 2. The ODD may turn into something else. 5-10 % |
| early childhood. | | | | of preschoolers with ODD have their diagnosis |
| These children can be manipulative and often | | | | changed from ODD to ADHD. In some children, |
| induce discord in those around them. Commonly | | | | the defiant behavior gets worse and these |
| they can incite parents and other family members | | | | children eventually are diagnosed with Conduct |
| to fight with one and other rather than focus on | | | | Disorder. This progression usually happens fairly |
| the child, who is the source of the problem. | | | | early. If a child has ODD for 3-4 years and he |
| Behavioral Symptoms | | | | hasn't developed Conduct Disorder, then he won't |
| Common behaviors seen in oppositional defiant | | | | ever develop it. |
| disorder include: | | | | 3. The child may continue to have ODD without |
| - Losing one's temper | | | | any thing else. This is unusual. By the time |
| - Arguing with adults | | | | preschoolers with ODD are 8 years old, only 5% |
| - Actively defying requests | | | | have ODD and nothing else. |
| - Refusing to follow rules | | | | 4. The child develops other disorders in addition to |
| - Deliberately annoying other people | | | | ODD. This is very common. |
| - Blaming others for one's own mistakes or | | | | Treatment |
| misbehavior | | | | Most of these children have some other disorder |
| - Being touchy, easily annoyed | | | | along with their ODD. Treating this other disorder |
| - Being easily angered, resentful, spiteful, or | | | | is the key to proper ODD management. This |
| vindictive. | | | | frequently means giving medication. Although this |
| - Speaking harshly, or unkind when upset | | | | type of medical intervention does not make the |
| - Seeking revenge | | | | children "normal", it can make a big difference. It |
| - Having frequent temper tantrums | | | | often allows other non-medical interventions to |
| Many parents report that their ODD children were | | | | work much better. |
| rigid and demanding from an early age. | | | | For example, if a child has both ODD and ADHD, |
| Normal children, especially around the ages or 2 or | | | | then giving the child Ritalin may have a significant |
| 3 or during the teenage years display most of | | | | effect on his ODD, also. This positive effect does |
| these behaviors from time to time. When children | | | | not seem to be related to the severity of the |
| are tired, hungry, or upset, they may be defiant. | | | | ADHD. That means even if the child has mild |
| However, children with oppositional defiant | | | | ADHD and could do without Ritalin, if he is treated |
| disorder display these behaviors more frequently | | | | medically, you might see an improvement in his |
| and to the extent that they and interfere with | | | | ODD. |
| learning, school adjustment, and, sometimes, with | | | | Once the other problems are under control, the |
| the child's social relationships. | | | | best treatment for ODD is parent training. In a |
| Diagnosis | | | | study published in 1998, eighty-two research |
| The diagnosis of ODD is not always straight | | | | studies were evaluated were examined for |
| forward and needs to be made by a psychiatrist | | | | efficacy. Approaches focusing on parent training |
| or some other qualified mental health professional | | | | were the most affective techniques. |
| after a comprehensive evaluation. The child must | | | | The main point is that some parent-training |
| be evaluated for other disorders as well since | | | | program is essential in addressing ODD. This is not |
| ODD usually does not come alone. If the child has | | | | going to work for everyone, but it is the best |
| ADHD, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders, | | | | treatment that we have available for ODD. |
| these other problems must be addressed before | | | | Advice to Parents |
| you can begin to work with the ODD. | | | | That is with regard to your child. If your child has |
| If you feel your child may have ODD, there is a | | | | ODD you need to take care of yourself, also. No |
| quick screening test. Go to: | | | | child needs a martyr as a parent. |
| Causes | | | | Here are some of the things you can do: |
| What is the cause of ODD? The real answer is | | | | - Maintain interests other than your child with |
| that nobody knows. However, since as scientist | | | | ODD. You have to be a person. |
| we hate to admit this, we have currently have | | | | - Try to work with and obtain support from the |
| two theories. | | | | other adults (teachers, coaches, and spouse) |
| The developmental theory proposes that ODD is | | | | dealing with your child. |
| really a result of incomplete child development. For | | | | - Take time to work on your relationship with |
| some reason, these children never complete the | | | | your spouse. Raising these children is very difficult |
| developmental tasks that normal children learn to | | | | and can put a strain on the best of marriages. |
| master during the toddler years. | | | | - Manage your own stress with exercise and |
| The learning theory suggests that ODD comes as | | | | relaxation. |
| a response to negative interactions. The | | | | - Take frequent vacations. This is a must. |
| techniques used by parents and authority figures | | | | Conclusion |
| on these children bring about the oppositional | | | | It is tough to live with children who have ODD. |
| defiant behavior. | | | | What is worse is that there does not seem to be |
| ODD is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in | | | | any cure. However, if you make sure that your |
| children and it usually persists into adulthood. One | | | | child has his other problems addressed and you |
| would think a lot of research would be done on | | | | improve your parenting skills by enrolling in a |
| this condition. That is not the case. While there | | | | parent training program, you can do a great deal |
| are hundreds of research studies on ADHD and | | | | to improve your child's condition and your own. |
| childhood mood disorders, there is very little | | | | |