What Is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Does your child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or is it just normal moodiness? Take the ODD self-test below to find out. Signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder will generally begin before your son or daughter is 8 years old. Occasionally, Oppositional Defiant Disorder can develop later, but it almost always develops before the age of 13. When Oppositional Defiant Disorder behavior develops, the signs tend to begin gradually, but then worsen over subsequent months and years.   ==> Help for Parents with Oppositional Defiant Children and Teens  Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Self-Test— My child: Is often a very negative person. Y or N Is often disobedient. Y or N Has had several suspensions and after-school detentions. Y or N Is often hostile or disrespectful toward authority figures. Y or N Uses excessive profanity. Y or N May be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Y or N Has severe temper tantrums when things don’t go his/her way. Y or N Is frequen

While there is no single test that can diagnose Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a mental health professional can determine whether a youngster or teenager has the disorder by assessing the youngster’s symptoms and behaviors and by using clinical experience to make a diagnosis. Many moms and dads first call upon the youngster’s doctor for an evaluation. This evaluation typically begins by compiling a medical history and performing a physical examination. During the evaluation, the youngster’s doctor will look for physical or other mental health issues that may cause problems with behavior. If the physician can’t find a physical cause for the symptoms, he may refer the youngster to a psychiatrist or a mental health professional who is trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses in kids and teenagers. A psychiatrist or a qualified mental health professional usually diagnoses Oppositional Defiant Disorder. A mental health professional will gather information from moms and