Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Chronic Misbehavior and Disobedience May Be Symptoms of ODD

© Eileen Bailey

Pink Boots, Photo by Katrina, www.morguefile.com

All children misbehave and disobey from time to time; when these behaviors are constant, parents can look for assistance.

For most parents, talking back, disobedience and temper tantrums are a normal part of childhood. All children misbehave from time to time, especially when between the ages of 2 and 3 and again when they become adolescents. But for some parents, these are a part of every day life. When the defiant, the talking back, being uncooperative and negative behaviors are characteristic of a child’s behavior, parents often look for answers. Sometimes the answer is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Symptoms

According to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition), symptoms of ODD are:

In order to be diagnosed with ODD, at least four of the above symptoms must be present for at least six months. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, any where from five to fifteen percent of children exhibit signs of ODD. Although symptoms are usually most noticeable in school or at home, they can be seen in many different places and normally academics, social and family life are all negatively impacted.

If a parent believes their child may be exhibiting symptoms of ODD, they should contact their family physician and request a complete evaluation. Doctors should check for co-existing conditions, such as ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder or learning disabilities as well as rule out any physical causes for the behavior. If there are co-existing conditions, it is important to treat them, as it is difficult to correct behavioral problems until other conditions are managed.

Treatment

Treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder can include the following:

Children with ODD are difficult and resist parents at every opportunity. Parents should try to incorporate positive parenting techniques such as:

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers tips for Positive Parenting through the different age groups.

Untreated, children with ODD can develop Conduct Disorder, although with positive parenting, many children with ODD respond and develop better behavioral patterns.

References:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Diagnostic Criteria, MentalHealth.com

Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1999

Oppositional Defiant Disorder, University of Virginia Health System


The copyright of the article Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Personality/Anxiety/Mood Disorders is owned by Eileen Bailey. Permission to republish Oppositional Defiant Disorder must be granted by the author in writing.


Pink Boots, Photo by Katrina, www.morguefile.com
       


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo