Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)? Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavioral problem characterized by constant disobedience and hostility. Around one in 10 children under the age of 12 years are thought to have ODD, with boys outnumbering girls by two to one. ODD is one of a group of behavioral disorders known collectively as disruptive behavior disorders, which include conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Early intervention and treatment is important, since children with untreated ODD may continue to be difficult and antisocial into their adult years.

This can impact on their relationships, career prospects and quality of life#

Some children with ODD will develop the more serious conduct disorder (CD), which is characterized by aggressive law-breaking and violent behaviors.

ODD behaviors usually surface when the child is at primary school, but the disorder can be found in children as young as 3 years of age. A child with ODD may: seek to blame others for any accidents or bad behavior., which is characterized by aggressive and delinquent behaviors including: law-breaking behaviors such as deliberately lighting fires, vandalism or stealing.

The cause of disruptive behavior disorders is unknown, but the quality of the child’s family life seems to be an important factor in the development of ODD. Some studies have found that certain environmental factors in the family increase the risk of disruptive behavior disorders.

These include: substance misuse by parents or carers#

ODD is professionally diagnosed by a child psychologist, child psychiatrist or pediatrician specializing in behavioral disorders. Diagnosis involves detailed interviews with the child (if they are old enough), parents and teachers, and comparing the child’s behavior with the checklist for ODD contained in the from the American Psychiatric Association.

Treatment options for ODD may include:

• – to help the parents better manage
• interact with their child
• including behavioral techniques that reinforce good behavior
• discourage bad behavior

This is the primary form of treatment and the most effective. Social support is increased if the parents are trained in groups with other parents who have children with ODD. – to teach all family members to communicate and problem-solve more effectively.

– all carers of the child (including parents, grandparents, teachers, child care workers and so on) need to be consistent in the way they behave towards and manage the child. Characteristics of ODD become easily angered, annoyed or irritated have frequent temper tantrums argue frequently with adults, particularly the most familiar adults in their lives such as parents refuse to obey rules seem to deliberately try to annoy or aggravate others have low self-esteem have a low frustration threshold Link to conduct disorder Without intervention and treatment, some children with ODD progress to develop conduct disorder (CD) lying being sadistic or cruel to animals and people physically or sexually abusing others Family life and ODD poor parenting skills (inadequate supervision, harsh or inconsistent discipline, rejection) marital conflict domestic violence physical abuse sexual abuse neglect poverty Diagnosis of ODD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Treatment of ODD Parental training Functional family therapy Consistency of care

Where to get help#